F1 supremo plans Japan night race

Singapore Grand Prix
Practice: Friday 1200 and 1430 BST Qualifying: Saturday 1500 BST
Race: Sunday 1300 BST
Race coverage: Live on ITV, text commentary on the BBC Sport website and commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live streamed on the BBC Sport website

---

The Singapore Grand Prix has generated extra interest in the race

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has revealed he hopes to turn the Japanese Grand Prix into a night race.

Singapore will host the sport's first night race this weekend in a move made to satisfy European television viewers.

And asked if more floodlit races were planned, Ecclestone told BBC Radio 5 Live: "If we have more races in this part of the world, yes.

"We're going to try to get Japan to do it. I hope when people see Singapore they realise it wasn't a stupid idea."

The unusual schedule and the novelty of a new track in an exotic location has generated extra interest in Sunday's race.

With the Grand Prix starting at 2000 local time, drivers have had to try to keep their body clocks on European time and the high possibility of rain has only added to the uncertainty surrounding the race.

606: DEBATE Who will win the Singapore Grand Prix?

Drivers have already voiced some concern that the floodlights, which are expected to be about four times brighter than those at a football match, could cause glare as they bounce off a wet surface, or shine through droplets of rain.

However, Ecclestone believed the intrigue was good for the sport.

"Everybody's wondering what's going to happen, that's what's nice about it," he added.

"We'll have to see afterwards exactly how it comes out. We've done all of this for the TV so we should see now what happens.

"I hope it's a good race, at least it'll be different that's for sure."

There will be an interview with Lewis Hamilton, as well as build-up to the Singapore Grand Prix, on 5 Live Formula One at 2130 BST on Friday 26 September on 909 & 693 MW