What seems to be putting the brakes on the Formula One coming to Singapore? Is all that talk about Ong Beng Seng and Bernie Ecclestone hammering a deal with the Government's blessings just a false start?

Not quite. It seems that exactly when the cars take off from the starting blocks might well be a, um, stumbling block.

A night race? The F1 crowd wants this, because that's when the Europeans wake up and watch television.

But Ferrari's big boss Jean Todt thinks it's too dangerous. What? Fit the fantastic Ferraris with lumpy headlights?

So let's compromise. No racing under the stars, but let's delay the start by a couple of hours. This should appease every member of the fast-expanding F1 family.

Todt can put his safety concerns aside, local organisers can hope for better returns on investment and the lucrative European TV audience can get their sleep and speed.

I believe that the concept of night racing was a non-starter, though there were compelling economic reasons to explore the idea. Chief among them: Prime-time telly.

F1 races normally flag off at 1.30pm and end some two hours later. For the Singapore leg, why not start at 4pm, so that the champagne can be uncorked by 6pm?

F1 was, historically, Europe-based.

With the Americans more obsessed with their own Nascar races, Europe not only hosted the F1 races but also financed them.

The European speed fans also filled the stands.

But times are changing.

More and more races are moving out - especially to Asia. The sponsorship dollar has evolved from mainly tobacco-based to other products.

More and more governments - especially those with new money like Shanghai and the Middle East - now look at the F1 as a good vehicle to push tourism.

But, while the cars are zipping by in Kuala Lumpur, Bahrain, Fuji and Shanghai, millions of faithful F1 fans remain in Europe.

So the F1 slowly evolved from a spectator sport to one followed by couch potatoes.

The Europeans can accept that. But, with races in Asia - and the attendant time difference - they now have to forgo speed or sleep.

Hence came this night-race concept, not as a novelty to popularise the sport but to allow the Europeans to have both their Ss.mple, the races started in Melbourne last month, before moving to Sepang last weekend and to Bahrain this weekend.

It will return to Asia in September, with legs in Fuji and Shanghai (October). September is still daylight saving for much of Europe. (Read that as an hour's extra sleep for fans in the West).

For example, if Singapore is given a slot in the second window next year, a 4pm start would mean that English fans will catch the flag-off at 9am. And the champagne bottles will be uncorked before lunch.

Sure, it's not prime time, but that's what compromises are all about.

Isn't it better than getting up before 5am, which would be the case in a 1.30pm Singapore start?

There's a need to think of other parties' interests.

In an interview in Singapore last Tuesday, Todt was asked for his views on racing under the stars.

His main concern was safety, though a smart alec suggested he was more horrified at having to alter the aero-dynamics of his sleek Stallions with lumpy headlights.

If team officials and drivers are naturally concerned over the safety aspects, local organisers are counting the cost of those extra street lamps.

Potential advertisers will find it tough convincing clients that billboards can still deliver their messages even as cars zoom by under artificial lights.

I'm sure even the Singapore Tourism Board is concerned how much the value of a street race would be lowered if it's held at night.

Notice that I've assumed that Singapore will be given a race to host next year.

No one has officially said it's a done deal - that the agreement has been inked between the F1 people and the local consortium led by property tycoon Ong . One outstanding issue is reportedly the ideal start time.

I believe, if all parties are prepared to compromise, an announcement can come by this week, even as early as Tuesday.