Abu Dhabi to be F1’s first ‘day/night’ race
The sport's television broadcasters were issued with a document at Spa-Francorchamps on Friday confirming a race start time change from the originally scheduled 3pm to 5pm local.
Dusk in Abu Dhabi in November is scheduled for shortly before 6pm, meaning that by the end of the race at Yas Marina, it will be completely dark.
Singapore hosted F1's first ever night race last year, but the 2009 season finale will be the first that begins under sunlight but ends with the aid of artificial lighting.
"Yas Marina Circuit has been built from the outset to host day and night-time activities," Cregan is quoted as saying by the local newspaper The National, referring to 40-metre floodlighting structures that have been built at the venue.
"It has always been our intention to showcase to the world this spectacular venue and this decision allows just that opportunity," he added.
08/28/09 (GMM) The inaugural Abu Dhabi grand prix at the end of this season has been moved to a 'twilight' race time, it was confirmed at Spa-Francorchamps on Friday. Sunday's race at the 2009 season finale in November will be held at 5pm local time instead of earlier in the afternoon as originally scheduled. Also to take place at 5pm, with dusk expected in Abu Dhabi around 6pm, will be the second Friday practice session and qualifying on Saturday. The twilight concept, used for the first time this year in Australia and Malaysia, provided a better television viewing time for the bulk European audience.