Malaysia may also host night race

UPDATE "Staging an F1 race is an expensive affair for the Malaysian government… we have to see how well we can benefit from the event and what kind of development it can bring to motorsport in the country," said Azalina Othman Said.

"Ultimately our dream is to see more Malaysian F1 drivers in Formula One racing."

Mokhzani Mahathir, chairman of Sepang International Circuit, told Malaysia's Bernama news agency that they were already looking into the possibility of holding a night race (for fear of losing their F1 race because of pressure from Bernie Ecclestone).

"We are actually studying what kind of light would be suitable, the security aspects, which will certainly be our top priority, and a few other things before anything can be firmed up," he said.

05/12/07 (GMM) Malaysia could join F1 newcomer Singapore in hosting a floodlit night race as early as next season.

"Night races are among the new conditions in the contract," said the Sepang circuit's chairman Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir yesterday, according to the newspaper Straits Times.

It is reported that negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone for the new contract, ensuring the grand prix near Kuala Lumpur until 2015, were recently concluded, and it should be signed within a few weeks.

Mokhzani also played down Malaysia's widely-reported objections to the staging of a second F1 race in the region.

He said: "For Malaysia, the races will be held at the beginning of the season, while Singapore will have its towards the end of the season."