F1 night race given green light

Marina Bay will be illuminated when the F1 roadshow comes to town

Formula One will stage a night race for the first time in its history in 2008.
The streets of Singapore, with the imposing Marina Bay as a backdrop, will be the venue for the historic race, which will take place on 28 September.

F1 officials also confirmed the Canada Grand Prix will be part of an extended 18-race 2008 calendar and a daytime street race would be held in Valencia.

It was announced that there will also be a total freeze on engine development for a period of 10 years from 2008.

A change can be made after five years but only with the unanimous agreement of all stakeholders and following a further two-year notice period.

There will be no exceptions for development of certain parts of the engine, as is the case under the current regulations.

It was announced earlier this year that the Belgian and Italian, plus the Japanese and Chinese races, would swap places in the 2008 calendar.

The French GP, which F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone had previously said would not be on the calendar, was also spared at an earlier meeting.

The British Grand Prix will be on 6 July, while the season will end on 2 November in Brazil.

The Turkish race had already been moved from August to 11 May, to accommodate the Valencia event.

2008 Formula One calendar:
March 16 Australia (Melbourne)
March 23 Malaysia (Sepang)
April 6 Bahrain (Sakhir)
April 27 Spain (Barcelona)
May 11 Turkey (Istanbul)
May 25 Monaco
June 8 Canada
June 22 France
July 6 Britain (Silverstone)
July 20 Germany (Hockenheim)
Aug 3 Hungary (Hungaroring)
Aug 24 Europe (Valencia)
Sep 7 Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)
Sep 14 Italy (Monza)
Sep 28 Singapore
Oct 12 Japan (Fuji)
Oct 19 China (Shanghai)
Nov 2 Brazil (Interlagos)