Sepang may host night F1 races

Kuala Lumpur:

Malaysia could host Formula One races at night under a new contract, a report said on Saturday, a day after neighboring Singapore announced it was joining the F1 circuit including a possible grand prix under lights.

Sepang International Circuit chairman Mokhzani Mahathir was quoted by the New Straits Times as saying a new contract to extend Malaysia's hosting of the event for another five years to 2015 would be signed within the next few weeks.

Malaysia has hosted F1 races since 1999. Its current contract expires 2010.

"Night races is among the new conditions in the contract," he said in the report.

Although no date has been set for night races to commence, technical work to enable the track to host them would begin soon, the newspaper said.

Mohkzani dismissed possible competition from neighboring Singapore, who announced Friday that it had won a five-year deal to host Formula One races starting in September or October 2008 including a possible night grand prix.

"They will be hosting their first race next year while we will be celebrating our 10th anniversary," he said in the report. "For Malaysia, the race will be held at the beginning of the season, while Singapore will have its toward the end of the season."

Mohkzani and other Sepang circuit officials could not be reached for comments on Saturday.