The Malaysian GP will start earlier in 2010

Bernie Ecclestone has agreed to move the start time of the 2010 Malaysian Grand Prix to 4 pm local time instead of 5 pm, in order to avoid new lighting issues as was the case this year. The event in Sepang, which took place last April, had to be stopped after only half the time had elapsed. A tropical downpour, as commonly experienced in the region almost daily, combined with the fact that it was 6 pm, made the race impossible due to lack of visibility. Everyone could see it live or on television, it was dark above the track!

The organizers of the Malaysian GP had asked Ecclestone for the start time to be moved earlier, but the F1 chief was initially reluctant. However, he has now agreed to a 4 PM start for 2010, which should ensure a daytime race even if another downpour of this type occurs.

« We will start an hour earlier, » Ecclestone said in an interview with the French daily Aujourd’hui. A 5 pm schedule had been preferred over a traditional 2 pm start to better suit European audiences, much like the night race in Singapore which was a real success nearly a year ago.

« We started to explore this possibility, particularly with Singapore, because Malaysia’s time slot was very bad for European broadcasters, » continued Ecclestone. « Whereas now, it’s much better! »

« In Australia, we have a race at twilight. In Malaysia, maybe we positioned ourselves a bit too late and it was a good way to catch the rain. But I think in general that’s what we are going to do now. This type of race is much more beneficial for promoters and organizers. »