Motor Racing: Twilight F1 racing under review in Malaysia
Posted: 06 April 2009 1713 hrs

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KUALA LUMPUR: New Prime Minister Najib Razak has waded into the debate about twilight Formula One racing, saying the 5pm start time at the chaotic Malaysian Grand Prix needs to be reviewed.

Sunday's race, won by Britain's Jenson Button, was called off after 32 of the 56 laps when a huge storm flooded the track and reduced visibility to dangerous levels.

By the time the rain had eased, it was too dark for a safe restart.

The Grand Prix started for the first time in its 11-year history at 5pm instead of its usual 3pm slot at the insistence of Formula One Management (FOM) so it would better suit their core European television audiences.

While the race proved dramatic it was ultimately a washout, short-changing fans at the circuit.

Najib, at his first race as Prime Minister after being sworn in on Friday, said there must be a review.

"We accept the result. But in future we will need to set a more suitable time -- maybe earlier," he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

The 5pm start was a compromise that Sepang International Circuit (SIC) made with FOM, which initially wanted the race to be held at night as in neighbouring Singapore, where the first ever Formula One night race was held last year.

But this has been ruled out due to the costs involved.

The Australian Grand Prix the week before was also pushed back to 5pm, with drivers complaining about the dwindling light there causing problems.

SIC chairman Mokhzani Mahathir said he was in talks with the FOM's Bernie Ecclestone and the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

"The decision to have it at 5pm was not mine. I had a chat with the FIA with regard to safety, and FOM about the issue of viewership in the other parts of the world," he told reporters.

"The major factors for this review are the weather and lighting issues. We will review it. As to what time we will start next year, we do not know yet, but we will review the timing for next year's race."

Most drivers agreed with the decision to halt the race due to safety concerns, and some made clear they think twilight racing is dangerous.

"I think you do the race in the night or you do the race in the day," said Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

"You cannot try to go in the middle, that's clear," he said. "Now it is a clear message."

- AFP/ir