Malaysia wants night race in 2009

With Singapore set to host F1's first night Grand Prix later this year, other races in the Asian region have already been considering following the lead.

And Sepang's chairman, Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir, has revealed that his track now wants to become a night event from 2009 on the back of a collaboration with Singapore officials.

"Our target is to have the race at night next year and the same consultants (as Singapore) are doing the lighting system," said Mokhzani, who wants to install a permanent lighting system at the track.

"It won't be the same (as Singapore). Our lighting system will probably have to shine from further out, not within the circuit. We are still studying all the factors involved."

F1 drivers have universally welcomed the move towards night races in F1, and are convinced that the events will be safe enough

"I am completely relaxed about it," Red Bull Racing's David Coulthard said recently. "I am sure the FIA will come up with a set of criteria for how much light there has to be, and we'll just get on with it.

"It will be spoken about from now right through until we get to Singapore and it will be a good marketing tool for that Grand Prix.

"But we drive through the tunnel at Monaco with lights, and I don't think you've ever heard a driver say that on their qualifying lap the most difficult part was the tunnel with the artificial lighting.

"A lot will be spoken and in the end it will be just another Grand Prix, but the background will be dark."