The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has announced the start times for races in the 2008 Formula One season. At the first night race in the history of motor sport's elite class, the Singapore Grand Prix, the lights will not turn green until the evening.

The battle for points in the Southeast Asian island state will begin at 20:00 local time (17:30 IST). The unusual start time will benefit those European Formula One fans who are unable to view the action live at the circuit: the first race under floodlights will take place around lunchtime in Europe.

However, the Singapore Grand Prix is not the only event with a modified schedule: at least eight other races will not be starting at the usual start time of 14:00 local time. The respective race management teams have changed the start times for the Grands Prix in Australia (15:30), Malaysia (15:00), Bahrain (14:30), Turkey (15:00), Canada (13:00), Great Britain (13:00), Japan (13:30), and China (15:00). The start time for the final race of the year, the Brazilian Grand Prix, is yet to be announced.

The following applies for Monaco: not only the race itself, but also the first two free practice sessions for the sixth Grand Prix of the year have their own rules: as every year, the two 90-minute sessions will not take place on the Friday, but on the Thursday. Traditionally, the engines remain silent on Fridays, in order to allow the residents of the principality to prepare for the race weekend.

Overview of Grand Prix start times for 2008:

Friday: 10:00 - 11:30: 1st Free practice | 14:00 - 15:30: 2nd Free practice

Saturday: 11:00 - 12:00: 3rd Free practice | 14:00 - 15:00: Qualifying

Sunday: 14:00: Race