Formula 1News

Malaysian Grand Prix: Next Year’s Race To Start Earlier To Avoid Rain

malaysian-gp

Organisers of the Malaysian Grand Prix have succeeded in scrapping the ‘twilight’ concept for its Formula One race in future.

All of us remember that in April of this year, the Formula One race at Sepang had to be curtailed shortly after half-distance with only half-points awarded, with torrential rain and fading light blighting the race that began at 5pm to better suit the European TV audience.

In the weeks prior to the race, fears that Malaysia’s daily early evening rains would wash out the race had been widely discussed. The realization of those fears prompted the schedule change.

It has now been confirmed that in 2010, the Malaysian GP will instead begin at 4pm, even if Sepang International Circuit boss Razlan Razali said organisers would have preferred an even earlier new start time.

“Of course, it would have been even better if we stuck to the time we’ve always had,” he told Singapore’s Today newspaper.

“We are not keen on a night race but we now have a good compromise and are happy it won’t start later,” he added.

D.B. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM via F1-Live