Bahrain Grand Prix eyeing night race for 2014 Formula 1 date

With the 2014 grand prix marking 10th anniversary of the inaugural Sakhir Formula 1 event, track chiefs are determined to do something to mark the occasion.

Although nothing has been finalised yet, Bahrain Grand Prix chairman Zayed Al Zayani has revealed that several possibilities are being considered - including a night race.

"We are looking at many options. A night race could be one of them, but it is not the only one," Zayani told AUTOSPORT.

"It is our tenth race, and our tenth anniversary, so we want to do something different.

"But different doesn't necessarily mean we will race at night.

"There are pros and cons to doing it, and all options are open."

AUTOSPORT understands that if plans for a night race are given the green light, then the lighting infrastructure will be made permanent so the facility can utilise it all year around.

OPENING SLOT PUSH RELATED TO TEST PLAN

Bahrain is also pushing for its event to become the first race of 2014 as well, which would fit in well with the desire of teams and tyre supplier Pirelli to hold at least one test in the Middle East before the start of the campaign.

Zayani said that no decision had been made yet about where Bahrain would slot into next year's schedule, but he said the venue was prepared for a test and the opening round if required.

"We are ready," he said. "We have had a first race before, we have had a third race before, and fourth race before.

"But it is premature to say when we will be. We will know probably between July and September or October.

"We would love to have the teams here for testing as well. But at the end of the day, that is a decision for them, not us."