Singapore Grand Prix will be First F1 Night Race

The FIA confirmed on Wednesday that the 15th round of the 2008 Formula One calendar, at the Singapore Grand Prix, would take place as a night race.

In a move that’s aimed at capturing a larger European viewing audience for the Asian event, the F1 boys will start a little later than they’re used to when they travel to Singapore this year. The GP itself, as well as the round of qualifying and the second day of practice, will all go off at 8 p.m. local time, making for a mid-afternoon race back in Europe, but still ungodly early here in the U.S.

The race under the stars is set to take place on September 28, and will be F1’s first ever night event.

(Click through the jump to read the 2008 F1 timetable.)

+ Autosport: FIA confirms night GP schedule

The 2008 Formula One World Championship timetable is as follows:

Friday (*)

10:00 - 11:30 Practice Session 1 (**)
14:00 - 15:30 Practice Session 2 (***)

Saturday

11:00 - 12:00 Practice Session 3 (****)
14:00 - 15:00 Qualifying Session (*****)

Sunday

14:00 Race (******)

(*) Friday Practice sessions at Monaco will take place on Thursday
(**) Except for Singapore (16:00)
(***) Except for Singapore (20:00)
(****) Except for Canada (10:00), Great Britain (10:00) and Singapore (17:00)
(*****) Except for Canada (13:00), Great Britain (13:00) and Singapore (20:00)
(******) Except for Australia (15:30), Malaysia (15:00), Bahrain (14:30), Turkey(15:00), Canada (13:00), Great Britain (13:00), Singapore (20:00), Japan (13:30) and China (15:00). Brazil TBC.