On 13 February 2008, the management of the Sepang International Circuit announced its aim to become Formula One's second night race from 2009 after Singapore, following discussions about buying a floodlighting system. Its plans seem to be moving forward when Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir, the chairman of the circuit, revealed that they were in the process of securing a lighting system. He was quoted as saying, "They might be custom made for the circuit."

However, since then, the organizers have confirmed that they will not be making the race a night race, but will be adopting a late-afternoon start time. The 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix indeed did adopt a late afternoon start time. However this proved disastrous due to heavy rainfall and the race not being able to be restarted due to the low light level making it through the clouds. The race was abandoned