Now Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone seeks ‘long-term’ Singapore deal after previously insulting Lion City

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone said he wants to strike a “long-term” deal with Singapore this year, playing down earlier comments that the city-state is looking to drop its iconic night race.

Ecclestone’s latest statement provide some positive news for Formula One in Southeast Asia, after neighbouring Malaysia confirmed it was dropping its grand prix after 2018.

He claimed his initial comments had been taken “in a funny way” by a German auto magazine which quoted him as saying that Singapore no longer wanted to host Formula One.

“F1’s stand is to hopefully continue in Singapore,” the 86-year-old told Singapore’s Straits Times newspaper. “Everybody is happy to be in Singapore and (we) don’t want to lose Singapore.

“Negotiations are ongoing and will be sorted out shortly ... before the end of the year, I’m sure. We want to extend long-term. We’ll see what happens.”

Ecclestone has described Formula One’s first night race, which started in 2008 and snakes past Singapore landmarks, as a “crown jewel” of the sport.