As if Formula 1 couldn’t get more commercialized, it’s become a night time spectacle in selected countries in 2008. Bernie Ecclestone, the commercial rights holder to F1, decided it would be a great idea to turn on the lights and let the drivers duke it out in artificial lighting. Is this a good idea? In my opinion, no.

Racing, aside from endurance racing such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Daytona and the like, belong in daylight. Formula 1 is the most empirical form of motorsports possible - machines and drivers focused on one thing: performance. Exorbitant budgets, expensive materials and sky-high drivers’ salaries are the norm. But it all translates into pure performance. So why would anyone want to put these machines and drivers into an artificially lit race course, with dangerous dark spots and glare from the gazillion-watt lights?

Simple. Money. It’s not as if Bernie is broke. As a matter of fact, he is filthy rich. But I guess he’s one of those fellows who plans to take his cash with him into the grave, although I don’t know how those British pounds would translate in the afterlife.

By holding races in Asia at night time, the majority of F1 fans, who are in Europe, would be able to watch the races in prime time, not in the wee hours of the night. And obviously, the more viewers there are, the more television rights money Bernie can claim from broadcasters. Nevermind the fact that race organizers in Asia have to pump in even more money on top of the fee they pay to FOM (Formula One Management). Now, they have to invest even more money to properly light the course, most of which will be held on street courses. And mind you, street courses are going to be more dangerous than purpose-built race courses where rubber is laid down on a regular basis ensuring proper grip levels for these racecars out of hell.

So there you go. Bernie isn’t a racing fan. He’s a business man. He doesn’t care about the sport. He only cares that it generates more money for his coffers. I’ve been a rabid F1 fans for many years. And yes, I do get up at 5am on Sunday mornings during the F1 season to watch races from Europe. Live. But I doubt Bernie cares. Whether daylight or night lights, it’s not about the racing. It’s not about the fans. It’s all about Bernie.

Shame on you, you old decrepit man.