The first F1 night race took place in 2008, relatively not that long ago, considering the almost 75-year history of Formula 1. It was the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix that offered the first ever night race in Formula 1, and it quickly became one of the fans favourite.
These races not only challenge drivers with unique conditions but also elevate the viewer experience, offering a visually stunning contrast to traditional daytime events. The liveries shine bright under the light of thousands of lamps put across the whole circuits, and organizing some of the races during nighttime, allows fans from across the World to tune in and watch F1 in front of their TVs.
In 2024, there are 6 night races in the calendar
- Bahrain Grand Prix
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
- Singapore Grand Prix
- Las Vegas Grand Prix
- Qatar Grand Prix
- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Singapore Grand Prix
The first ever F1 night race was also the first one to be held in Singapore. A country, that was struggling with poverty in the 60s and 70s, quickly became an example of a sustainable country, which provides for it’s citizens. The development of Singapore has been significant, and as the country gained importance on the global stage, the idea of organizing an F1 street race there became more and more appealing.
The 2008 Singapore Grand Prix left us with a lot of memorable moments and controversies, but at the same time made a real show. Since then, every Singapore Grand Prix takes place at night. It gives the opportunity for all European fans to tune in to the race on the Sunday afternoon, and all the US fans to watch it in the morning, before heading out to work on Monday.
The City of Lion does not allow for even the slightest mistake, and it’s one of the most demanding circuits in F1. The heat is only one factor, but huge humidity makes it extremely challenging to keep focus throughout the 2 hour spectacle. During the night race in Singapore, F1 drivers lose approximately 3-4 kilograms, because of how much they sweat.
Bahrain Grand Prix
The Bahrain Grand Prix is also one of the kind, as it held the first F1 race in 2004, and at the same time, it was the first venue in the Middle East to host F1 race. However, for many years Formula 1 raced in Bahrain in the daylight. The first F1 night race in Bahrain took place in 2014, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of F1 races hosted by the Bahrain International Circuit.
It was a memorable event, as for the first time we saw the Silver Arrows of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg battle wheel to wheel in the artificial light, in what started the battle over the Championship, which lasted to the very last race on the calendar, yet another nighttime race.
In recent years, Bahrain became the venue for winter tests ahead of the F1 season, and recently it has been confirmed to hold the 2025 Winter Tests as well. No longer being the opening race in the 2025 F1 calendar, we will expect something unexpected from the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Yas Marina Circuit first welcomed F1 in 2009. Seeing the success of Singapore in 2008, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix wanted to one up their Asian competitors, introducing the world to its day-to-night transition, becoming the sport’s first race to start in daylight and end under floodlights. The race starts moments before the sunset, allowing all F1 fans to experience the beautiful images of the sun setting down over the long twists and turns of the race track. The circuit’s backdrop of luxury yachts and a twilight sky make it a visually stunning spectacle
It wouldn’t be considered the F1 night race, if not the finish taking place not long after the sunset, with darkness crumbling over the circuit. Memorable moments include the 2010 season finale when Sebastian Vettel clinched his first world title in a dramatic finish, and the 2016 finale, when Nico Rosberg beat Lewis Hamilton to become the Champion, and of course we cannot forget about the 2021 finale, when Max Verstappen put an end to Hamilton’s streak by overtaking him on the last lap, and snatching the crown from the 7-time World Champion.
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit held its inaugural race in 2021, designed to be one of the fastest and longest street circuits in F1. In reality, we had a couple of Safety cars and red flags, significantly prolonging the whole experience for all F1 fans.
From the outset, it has always been a night race, with the combination of high speeds and tight walls creating dramatic moments. The track is notorious for close calls and aggressive driving, as well as many broken front wings, and crashed rear wings in the sector 2. But the most memorable moments were Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s tense battle in 2021 standing out as a key moment in the history, and one of the best F1 night races of all times. Although it is great to watch, especially during qualifying, the race itself is mostly rather boring, as the narrow track does not provide many opportunities for overtaking.
Other than not being the best track, the circuit has a few other problems. One of them is the lack of political stability in the region. In 2022, there was a missile strike at Jeddah, yet Formula 1 pretended like nothing is happening. Photos of F1 drivers running their practice programs, with dense black smoke coming from an oil processing refinery in the background, quickly spread across the Internet, but cash was king, and the race took place nonetheless.
Although there are many controversies, the F1 night race in Jeddah is always connected with a spectacle of drones and lights, making the best of the nighttime in the Saudi Arabia. And also, you cannot see the black smoke at night but shh….
Qatar Grand Prix
Lusail International Circuit made its F1 debut in 2021, in a night race format right from the start. Known for its fast-flowing layout, the race was quickly embraced by drivers and fans alike, although there were a lot of controversies with punctures across the grid, and drivers complaining for the immense heat.
In 2021, Lewis Hamilton dominated the event, adding another victory to his collection. The event is now a regular feature on the F1 calendar and is known for its smooth asphalt and challenging conditions. In the 2023 Grand Prix, drivers suffered from the heat, and Logan Sargeant had to retire, as he was physically unable to keep on driving. Some other drivers reportedly vomited during the race too, and everyone had to hold on to the HALO in order to be able to walk out of the car.
So, running the Qatar Grand Prix as one of the F1 night races is a no-brainer, since drivers can actually operate their cars with the weather being a couple of degrees lower, and all the fans can see the liveries shine bright in the floodlights.
Las Vegas Grand Prix
And Finally, the gem of all the F1 night races, the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Held for the first time in 2023, the event fully organised by Liberty Media was a worldwide success. One cannot imagine racing in Las Vegas, and doing in the daylight, so it was the only right decision to make the Las Vegas Grand Prix yet another of the F1 night races.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix made its original debut in 1981, though its venue—a temporary circuit in the Caesars Palace parking lot—was far from glamorous. Despite being an ambitious effort, the race was short-lived, running only twice before falling off the calendar. The cramped layout and sweltering heat made it unpopular with both drivers and fans, contributing to its early demise.
Fast-forward to 2023, Las Vegas returned to the Formula 1 stage in a big way, hosting an F1 night race on the iconic Las Vegas Strip. This new iteration fully capitalized on the city’s vibrant nightlife, with a purpose-built street circuit winding through the heart of the entertainment capital. The race promised to merge the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas with the high-octane thrills of Formula 1, and succeeded at it with on all fields.
The only controversy was the price of the tickets, which made it impossible for regular fans to attend, but even seen from the TV, the Las Vegas Grand Prix made a great impression on everyone.
