Bahrain denies considering night race

Sakhir's Chief Operating Officer Shaikh Salman was quoted by Bahraini newspaper Gulf Daily News at the weekend as saying that he was open to the concept of night racing.

But in a statement issued in response to that story, Bahrain officials have insisted that their welcoming of the night race idea does not mean they are looking into the idea themselves.

"The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) wishes to clarify stories that it is investigating the possibility of staging the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix as a night race in the future," said the statement.

"Unfortunately the comments given by BIC Chief Operating Officer, Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, have been taken out of context at their source in the Gulf Daily News, and while the concept of night racing is extremely interesting it is not on the agenda of the BIC.

"Through enjoying very favourable time differences to Formula One's key European and Asian broadcasters the viewing figures for the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix are among the highest of the year in terms of audience share and viewership.

"As a result we have had no discussions with either the FIA or Formula One Management towards staging our race at night.

"Like the rest of the world, however, we are looking forward with great interest to the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix this September and to the introduction of night racing to Formula One."

Singapore is due to hold F1's first night race later this year, with the Malaysian and Australian Grands Prix both possibilities to follow suit in the future.