Bahrain boss open to night race idea

With Singapore hosting Formula One's first night event this year, and Australia and Malaysia possibly following suit in the future, officials at the Sakhir circuit have revealed that they too are looking into it.

Bahrain's chief operating officer Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa told the Gulf Daily News that the circuit have looked into whether or not a night would be beneficial.

"We're not opposed to the idea, and it is only natural that we have been gathering information about it, trying to determine its advantages and disadvantages," Shaikh Salman said.

Although Bahrain's time zone means that European television audiences will not benefit too much from a shift of race time, there would be a boost for track spectators.

Sunday is a week day in Bahrain and an evening start time would allow local residents to attend the race after work and school.

Shaikh Salman added: "A night race could be quite exciting to watch, and it's something everyone is talking about now that Singapore will be the first to have one. I have no knowledge of it being proposed for Bahrain, but it is a very interesting concept.

"Right now, it makes most sense more for host countries further east. Here, it is debatable and we would have to go through lengthy discussions with Formula One Management before we can seriously consider it."