Abu Dhabi F1 season-ender to end after dark

By Alan Baldwin

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi's season-ending grand prix will be the first Formula One race to start in daylight and end at night, organisers said on Friday.

"Yas Marina Circuit has been built from the outset to host day and night-time activities," said Richard Cregan, chief executive of Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, in a statement ahead of Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

"Staging Formula One's first ever day/night race offers us the unique opportunity to demonstrate the circuit's inbuilt flexibility and state-of-the-art facilities.

"It has always been our intention to showcase to the world this spectacular venue and this decision allows just that opportunity."

The Nov. 1 race, originally scheduled to start at 1500 local, will now begin at 1700.

Singapore hosted Formula One's first night-time race last season while this year's Australian season-opener in Melbourne finished in the twilight with drivers complaining of poor visibility.

Abu Dhabi is making its debut on the calendar with a no-expense-spared facility that will give the Middle East its second race after Bahrain.

Cregan said the new start time offered the best of both worlds.