For the first time ever a Grand Prix will be held at night under floodlights. Trackside’s Keith Collantine looks at the preparations.

Launch our slide show of preparations for the Singapore Grand Prix

Night racing is the kind of thing you expect at the Le Mans 24 Hours, or Indy Car racing in America. It’s never been seen in F1 before.

That all changes this weekend as F1 gears up for its first ever Grand Prix held at night.

The venue is Singapore’s Marina Bay circuit. It’s an all-new venue – think Monaco meets the Far East. But after dark.

So how will the drivers see where they’re going?

The organisers have built massive lighting rigs that are so powerful, they say, visibility will be four times brighter than at a floodlit football match. A total of 1,485 light projectors will be used, each with an output of 2,000 watts, taking power from 12 generators.

Lewis Hamilton says he’s looking forward to the event. He said: “It is going to be an exciting weekend. The race will be quite a fun challenge, and I like a challenge.

“I've never raced at night before, but I don't think it is going to be a problem. It doesn't seem to be a problem in other sports and there have been huge preparations for this, so I think it will be great.

“We are racing on another street circuit, which are a particular favourite of mine. From what I understand it is wide and fairly flowing in nature, which is not what you usually expect from a street circuit, but it sounds like it will be pretty spectacular.”

But Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo is not impressed with the course.

He said: “I have the impression that it’s another track where you can’t overtake, Valencia-style. To go on with these circuits spells an ugly future for Formula One.”

Launch our slide show of preparations for the Singapore Grand Prix

Should Lewis Hamilton get his Belgian GP win back? Have your say on the Auto Trader Blog

See how the Toyota F1 team is preparing for the race in this video: