Singapore set for hazy grand prix

Singapore looks set for a hazy formula one race next weekend.

In July, it emerged that the city-state was worried that forest fires in Indonesia would affect the floodlit skyline when the F1 circus comes to town in late September.

"They are afraid it will disturb the running of the grand prix," said an Indonesian official.

Now, just days ahead of the 2011 race, the Indonesian government has turned down help to ease the fires, according to the Jakarta Globe.

Singapore environment minister Vivian Balakrishan told Channel News Asia that help, including fire extinguishing aircraft, has been offered to Indonesia.

"We have a team on standby to help with putting out fires", he said.

But Balakrishan’s Indonesian counterpart Arif Yuwono responded: "We don’t need any help because we already have our own standard procedures for handling disasters."