Thailand could be F1’s next night race

If Thailand joins the F1 calendar in 2014, the southeast Asian country’s grand prix could be staged under lights, it has emerged.

Thailand made its intentions clear recently by successfully bidding to host this December’s end-of-season Race of Champions, and talks have also taken place about bringing formula one to the country.

"Our discussions with Bernie Ecclestone have gone smoothly. We expect to get rights to host a grand prix from 2014 onwards," Kanokphand Chulakasem, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, said recently.

Asiancorrespondent.com now quotes Chulaksem as also saying: "The race might be held at night to accommodate viewers in Europe and help earn more in sponsorship."

F1’s only artificially-lit races are in Singapore and Abu Dhabi.

There is speculation Thailand’s grand prix could be held on the streets of the capital Bangkok, on an upgraded Bira circuit 165km from Bangkok, or at a new purpose-built F1 facility.