Formula One: No F1 night race in Malaysia

The host circuit for the Malaysian Grand Prix on Friday said it would not turn the race into a night event like that held in neighbouring Singapore, citing safety and cost concerns.

Organisers at Malaysia's Sepang circuit had previously expressed interest in a night race to help reverse an audience decline blamed on steamy daytime tropical temperatures.

"I will not encourage an F1 night race," Razlan Razali, chief executive of the Sepang International Circuit, told reporters as he kicked off a ticket sales drive for the March 25 race.

"Sepang circuit is not designed for a night race."

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has said he is keen to hold all Asian legs of the F1 championship at night to attract maximum viewing audiences in Europe.

But Razlan said there was "no pressure" from Formula One on the matter.

A night race would require Sepang to install expensive lighting systems and the resulting light towers would mar the track landscape, Razlan said.

"Why do a night race when most other circuits do not do it?" he asked.

Malaysia's frequent rain during a night event could force the race to be stopped or cancelled, he added.

"Singapore in that sense has been lucky in organising a night race," he said.

Razlan added Malaysia is due to host the event to 2015 and that a proposal will be presented to the government within weeks calling for an extension to that.

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