Malaysia claims F1 race rights until 2015

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Malaysia has won an extention to keep hosting a Formula One Grand Prix until 2015, despite concerns about its course and talk of a bid from Singapore, the head of the Sepang circuit said Sunday.
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"We have secured a five-year extension from 2011 to 2015," Mokhzani Mahathir, chairman of the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), told AFP.
The announcement comes just weeks after Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone took SIC to task, saying the Sepang facility was "shabby" and needed to be updated.
"There is rubbish all over the place and it's not really a good sign for Malaysia. We're on worldwide television and it needs to look good, much like in the beginning," Ecclestone said.
Mokhzani said there were plans for a major upgrade that would include building an "automotive-related theme park with bike and go-kart tracks."
It was not immediately clear what effect the announcement would have on hopes of neighbouring Singapore securing the rights to host a Formula One race.
But Malaysian Sports Minister Azalina Othman said earlier this month that while there was "no concern" about Singapore hosting an F1 race, there should only be one race in Southeast Asia.
Singapore is keen to host a Formula One race and the government has already given its blessings pending ongoing negotiations between Singaporean tycoon Ong Beng Seng and Ecclestone.
Ong is bidding for the right to host an F1 race in Singapore which would be a city circuit, unlike Malaysia's purpose-built Sepang race track.
"If it comes to Singapore, it will be a complementary relationship with the F1 in Sepang," Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo said earlier this month.
Meanwhile Sepang has been mulling the possibility of night races as early as next year, and Mokhzani said he was waiting to hear from Forumla One about the lighting standards that would be needed.
"With race cars running at speeds above 320 kilometers, you need lights close to daylight," he said.
Ecclestone has spoken of including night races in Asia on the F1 schedule as early as next season to boost TV audiences, especially in Europe.
Top drivers including world champion Fernando Alonso have opposed the plan, citing safety fears.
But others have given their qualified support.
"For me it is okay as long as there is enough lighting," Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen said on the sidelines of the Malaysia Grand Prix in early April.
His teammate Felipe Massa said: "As long as we can see and as long as it is safe, why not?"

tunku : hope that we will keep above the standard for our sepang circuit not only during the F1 but maintain it all the time. It will be good if government can develop the surrounding area and make it more lively.Of course VERY CLEAN.