Officials play down Malaysia night race rumours

Suggestions that Malaysia could return to the F1 calendar with a night race in the future have been played down by officials. Earlier this week, the Sepang International Circuit launched a floodlight system, sparking rumours that the venue is gearing up for a return.

Malaysia dropped off the F1 roster for the 2018 season after its organisers decided against investing more money to host the race. And prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has said that the floodlight system has nothing to do with an F1 return: "Usually for Formula 1, for television the picture has to be very good," he said. "This one is not bright enough."

The FIA endorsed the plans to set up a floodlight system at the circuit, while experts that worked on establishing night races at Bahrain and Abu Dhabi were involved in the procedure. 

But youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq said: "Cabinet has decided to move away from F1 and focus on two-wheeled sports instead, including MotoGP and other superbike races. F1 is costly and we know it has diminishing marginal returns."