Breaking news

Formula 1 Russian GP

Ecclestone doubts Russian GP will be a night race

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has doubts that the Russian Grand Prix will now switch to becoming a night race in the future.

Jonathan Noble

Jonathan Noble

Published: May 1, 2016, 11:10 AM

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Jolyon Palmer, Renault Sport F1 Team RS16

Sergio Perez, Sahara Force India F1 VJM09

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 Team W07

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 Team W07

Sergio Perez, Sahara Force India F1 VJM09

Kevin Magnussen, Renault Sport F1 Team RS16

Sochi organisers had talked since its inaugural event in 2014 of moving the start time until the evening at some point.

But despite much analysis of the cost implications of flood lighting the track, Ecclestone said on Sunday that he thought that the expense could not be justified.

When asked by Motorsport.com about if he thought Russia would join the list of events that were night races, he said: "I doubt it.

"It is not cheap to put in because when it was built, that was the time to lay all the cables. They all they would have to do is put in the light bulbs – but it didn't happen.

"Nobody thought about a night race – and when this was all built they hadn't thought about a race."

Still talking

Russian Grand Prix promoter Sergey Vorobyev said that the organisers were still evaluating the situation and that a final decision had not yet been made.

"It's too early to talk about that," Vorobyev told Motorsport.com. "Indeed, we do want to hold a night race – and it's an idea that's being discussed at all levels. But the final decision is yet to be made.

"The decision could be made this weekend – or maybe not. But as soon as we get a definite answer, we'll announce."

 

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Read also :

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Previous article Mercedes avoids grid penalty for Hamilton

Next article Vettel vents fury after Kvyat double hit

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

More from

Jonathan Noble



Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours

Formula 1

Formula 1

Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours



The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season

Formula 1

Formula 1

The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season



Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress

Formula 1

Formula 1

Australian GP

Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress

Latest news



Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels and the Hendrick 5 are who we say they are

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Homestead-Miami

43 min

Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels and the Hendrick 5 are who we say they are



Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Homestead-Miami

4 h

Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale



Official race results: NASCAR Cup Homestead season finale

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Homestead-Miami

5 h

Official race results: NASCAR Cup Homestead season finale



Ryan Blaney wins Homestead NASCAR Cup finale as Kyle Larson claims 2026 title

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Homestead-Miami

5 h

Ryan Blaney wins Homestead NASCAR Cup finale as Kyle Larson claims 2026 title

Feature

Discover prime content



How Lando Norris prevailed in a swift errors tour of Interlagos

Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

By Stuart Codling

How Lando Norris prevailed in a swift errors tour of Interlagos



"He really wanted it" – why Russell was furious over aborted Brazil ‘pole’ lap

Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

By Stuart Codling

"He really wanted it" – why Russell was furious over aborted Brazil ‘pole’ lap



What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Brazilian GP

Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Brazilian GP



How F1’s rules got to be so complex

Formula 1

By Pat Symonds

How F1’s rules got to be so complex

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts

Subscribe