The FIA has carried out a preliminary night racing test at Indianapolis, as it looks into the possibility of hosting future F1 races at night.

At present there are plans for night races in the east in order that events can be broadcast at a TV-friendly time in Formula One's European heartland.

Recently, FIA President Max Mosley admitted that although Bernie Ecclestone is said to be keen on hosting a number of races at night, the sport's governing body had not yet been officially approached.

Last night, the FIA carried out its first experiment with Bernd Maylander driving the FIA's official safety-car back and forth through a series of corners.

The experiment, which lasted for approximately thirty minutes, was filmed in order that it could be ascertained as to whether broadcasters would be able to successfully film the cars in similar conditions.

It's understood that at one stage the track was artificially soaked in order to test for reflection, both from the driver's point of view and also the TV cameras.

Last month, Eddie Gossage, owner of the Texas Motor Speedway, claimed to have invited Ecclestone to a night-time Indy car race at his track to demonstrate the feasibility of night time F1 racing.