Raikkonen likes the idea of night racing

"I think it's going to be good. Hopefully everything works well. It will be quite nice I think, a different atmosphere and a different race," he told reporters at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Unlike some other drivers, the Finn said he was not concerned about the safety implications of racing under floodlights.

"It's going to look like daytime when they put all the lights on," he said.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone and the Singaporean government announced earlier on Friday a five-year deal for the South East Asian city state to host a race from next year.

While S. Iswaran, Minister of State for Trade and Industry, told a news briefing that the race would be held at night only if safety requirements were fully met, Ecclestone was confident they would be.

Racing at night, attractive to European broadcasters looking to increase viewing figures for races in Asia that are now aired in the early hours of the morning, would be a first for Formula One.

The cars do not have headlights, so the track and surrounding area would have to be floodlit to make it safe enough for drivers used to hitting speeds over 300 km/h (190 mph).

Australian Mark Webber, who drives for Red Bull, told a news conference that the organisers would have to do their homework to ensure safe conditions.

"Street tracks are very challenging for the driver, we like them, but obviously we want to make sure they're safe," he said.

"I have done a few laps around 70 percent of the track in Singapore and there were a few places where we need to make that a little bit safer."

BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld agreed: "Generally I like the idea of night racing and street circuits," he said. "I see some issues about safety and if that is sorted, I am fine with it.

"Normally street circuits are more dangerous because there is no run-off area and the light system has to work perfectly," added the German.

"It's not like a soccer game where if the light turns off nothing happens...if you are doing 300km/h then it is a bit more of a problem."