The start time of this year's race at Sepang has been shifted back to 5pm, with race organisers unable to justify the higher costs of lighting up the track that would be required for a night event.
And although Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has been keen for Malaysia to hold its event at night, race organisers have now confirmed that the 5pm start will now remain until 2015 at the earliest.
Sepang track chief Mokhzani Mahathir was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency: "We have amended the contract. The race will start at 5.00pm. It is another way of saying that there will be no night race until 2015."
Mahathir said the track's resistance to shelling out for a night race had increased because of the worldwide financial problems faced at the moment.
"Bernie said to me that 'we will no longer raise the issue'. I told him that we are facing an economic crisis. The night race may or may not attract more people to the circuit," he said.
Sepang said back in 2007 that, under the contract signed then, the circuit was committed to holding the race at night 'at any time upon notification' of Formula One Management.
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