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Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008
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Sport - Racing : Motor

Night race excites Force India drivers

Stan Rayan

SINGAPORE: A day after the Australian Grand Prix thriller in Melbourne, Singapore, which hosts Formula One’s first-ever night race this September, is agog with excitement.

“We are very, very excited,” said Da from Thailand who mans the Sats Premir Club at Singapore’s Changi Airport. “And Ferrari will win. They are number one. And night race, it will be bigger fun.”

Singapore’s debut Formula One race will be held on a street track, some 25 kms from the Changi Airport, on September 28. It’s part of the new package of changes the sport has come up with this season to make F-1 more attractive and to catch prime-time television eyeballs in Europe, its biggest market.

And though Renault’s former double world champion Fernando Alonso feels night racing could be dangerous for drivers, Force India drivers are eager to have a go under lights. “For sure, it will be interesting. It’s good for Formula One,” said Force India’s Giancarlo Fisichella. “I want to drive somewhere to try it out before Singapore.”

The 25-year-old Adrian Sutil, Force India’s young face, is also keen to have a taste of F1s new night life. “Night racing excites me. I am happy about the first night race,” said the German. “I’ve seen night races in other countries but I’ve never tried it before. If it works out well, we’ll see some more night races.”

Malaysia is also keen to have a night race next year while Australia is under pressure from the F-1 boss Bernie Ecclestone to switch on the lights since the current race timing in Melbourne is very early in the morning for Europeans.

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