Malaysia must be prepared to stage Formula One races at night says Bernie Ecclestone

Malaysia must be prepared to stage Formula One races at night to stay on the FIA's F1 calendar or even harbour any hope of an extension of the Malaysian Grand Prix contract that expires in 2010.

This was among a number of conditions, or rather terms, put forward by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone with regards to talks of an extension of the contract for staging the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chairman Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir said: "The FIA wants us to be prepared to stage night races as well as carry out some upgrading works at the circuit.

"We are actually studying what kind of light that would be suitable, the security aspects, which will certainly be our top priority, and a few other things before anything can be firmed up."

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Kimi Raikkonen: "I’d like to be at the top of the championship table"

After making a flying start to his new career at Ferrari by winning on his debut in Australia, the Finn has lost ground in recent races.

Raikkonen’s optimism, however, could be ill-founded as British sensation Hamilton is showing no signs of slowing down.

He was outgunned by the two McLarens of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton in Malaysia, and since then has lost the initiative to Brazilian team-mate Felipe Massa, who won in both Bahrain and Spain.

To make matters even worse for Raikkonen, he failed to score any points in Barcelona as his Ferrari suffered a rare mechanical glitch.

However, he claimed that looking back at failure isn’t his style. "I’m not the type to go over what has happened and I’m not about to start now, " he explained. "That was part of racing and it is impossible to change what took place. Points have been lost and there is nothing to be gained in going back – we will only know the full effect of this retirement at the end of the season. Of course, I’d like to be at the top of the championship table, but there are still 13 races to go and I am only eight points behind (series leader) Hamilton. "

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Lewis Hamilton cautious over chances of victory at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix

McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton is remaining cautious over his chances of victory at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, despite having never lost around the challenging Monte Carlo street circuit.

Hamilton, who has finished on the podium at every race this season, triumphed in last year’s GP2 event in Monaco and also won on his previous visit in the F3 Euroseries. The Englishman, however, is taking nothing for granted.

"I have always run well at Monaco, having won there on my previous two visits to the race,” he said. “I am going to the race again this year with the intention of fighting for the win, but that is the case at everything I compete in. "

However we do have to keep being realistic, this will be my fifth race in Formula One and I am still developing. We have to focus on keeping scoring points for both the constructors' and drivers' championships and take it step by step."

Niki Lauda believes Britain's Lewis Hamilton can win world championship in his first season

Formula One legend Niki Lauda believes Britain's Lewis Hamilton can win the world championship in his first season.

The 22-year-old heads the current world drivers' standings ahead of this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo.

Lauda, the three-time world champion, said: 'It may seem absolutely amazing but, yes, I can see Lewis winning the championship (this season).

'He is clearly already as fast as his McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso, despite the fact he is completely new. He has a clear mind to face the challenge of Formula One.

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Lewis Hamilton living out dream rookie season

Lewis Hamilton will continue to live his dream on Sunday when the British racing sensation competes in his first Monaco Formula One Grand Prix as world championship leader.

Getting a maiden career win in the principality in front of the rich and famous would cap one of the most stunning debuts in the sport.

"I am really looking forward to Monaco. It is one of the tracks I have always dreamed of racing at in Formula One. For me it is the best circuit of the year; there is nowhere like it for getting the adrenaline going," said the 22-year-old Briton.

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Raikkonen and Ferrari have no differences claims Ferrari boss

Ferrari boss Jean Todt insists Kimi Raikkonen "is at ease" with the Maranello team despite his stuttering start to the season.

Victory on his Ferrari debut in Australia was followed by third-place finishes in Malaysia and Bahrain before retirement at the Spanish Grand Prix 10 days ago. Going into the race in Barcelona, Raikkonen had a shared of the lead in the drivers' championship but, ahead of Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix, the Finn is fourth behind McLaren duo Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso and team-mate Felipe Massa.

Yet Todt maintains Raikkonen is fast integrating himself into the ways and means of the team, while they in turn understand how the 27-year-old operates.

"Kimi feels very much at ease with the team and vice-versa," said Todt.

"He is a genuine and sincere person, and here he has found an open and co-operative atmosphere. Personally, I get on very well with Kimi.

"I have always liked him both as a driver, and in terms of the way he is out of the cockpit, always remaining the same in what is the difficult world of Formula One."

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