F1 night race go-ahead

The Straits Times, October 26, 2007
by Marc Lim, Sports Correspondent


IT'S a go. Singapore has been given the green light to host Formula One's first ever night race.

Motor racing's governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), gave its approval early yesterday morning, virtually ensuring that next year's Sept 28 race will have a place in history.

The race is likely to start at 8pm.

Said Singapore Grand Prix's deputy chairman Colin Syn: 'With two positive lighting tests under our belt, we are on track to delivering the first night race in F1 history.'

As with the approval of Singapore's street circuit last month, the FIA endorsement is essentially an in-principle approval.

However, it is standard FIA practice. The final go-ahead will be given only during the week of the race, when officials get a first-hand look at the track and conditions.

Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Mr S. Iswaran, welcomed the news.

But while the announcement means that Singapore has met all the requirements so far, work for the race organisers is far from over.

He said: 'They still need to work out the details and practical considerations on the ground, and safety continues to be the major concern.

'So that will be the focal point. But it is a very welcome approval because it means all the parties involved can progress with a lot more confidence and excitement.'

Star Sports racing commentator Steve Slater said that Singapore will become one of the sport's innovators.

Indeed, the Singapore race will be truly iconic.

Apart from being the world's first night race, it is only the second F1 race - apart from Monaco - to feature a full street circuit.

The 5.067-km Marina Bay circuit will take drivers through the heart of downtown Singapore.

Construction of a new pit building along Raffles Boulevard has already begun.

With F1 now attracting an average worldwide television audience of about 50 million fans per race, images of McLarens and Ferraris zooming past prominent Singapore landmarks such as the Esplanade, City Hall and even the Singapore Flyer will be beamed live to homes all across the world.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is confident the originality of the Singapore race is a win-win situation.

Mr Ecclestone told The Straits Times in a telephone interview yesterday: 'This is good for everybody. It's good for F1 and for Singapore, and there'll be an awful lot of attention on Singapore now.'