SEPANG: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has hinted that there is a possibility that Formula One (F1) could return to Malaysia with a night race such as the Bahrain and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (GP).
Dr Mahathir had earlier on Wednesday night officiated the new floodlights throughout the 5.543 kilometer (km) track at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) – one of the new and improved initiatives to attract more events and activities to the track.
"Perhaps, just maybe for Formula One, the lighting may be different but as it is now, it is sufficient for normal racing because it is not too bright. Usually for Formula One, for television the picture has to be very good,” said Dr Mahathir to members of the media after officiating the SIC Clinic as well as the floodlights.
SIC now has a new façade with improved facilities thanks to the floodlights which should make the track even more attractive for future bookings of motorsports related events thanks to the ability to host night races.
Speaking on the circuit’s achievements after Dr Mahathir himself launched SIC 19 years ago back in 1999, he said that there has been a lot of development which has been achieved up till now.
"There has been a lot of development which has been achieved and there will be more to come according to the current plans that are in place,” said Dr Mahathir, who also hopes that SIC will be able to become a motoring city sometime in the future.
Meanwhile, SIC Chairman, Tan Sri Azman Yahya in his speech said that the initiative to install the floodlights came about after the circuit received even more bookings beginning from a couple of years back.
"We saw this as an ideal opportunity to attract even more bookings and interest by making the circuit capable of hosting night races, so we decided to go ahead and install the floodlights all throughout the track,” said Azman.
The installation of the floodlights was carried out with the cooperation of experts who were also responsible for the floodlights at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, the Losail International Circuit in Qatar and the Bahrain International Circuit.
The design and location of the floodlights have been certified and endorsed by the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) and the International Automobile Federation (FIA).