Drivers in push to change start times

[John S]

I wonder if Bernie will listen to the drivers concerns, in both races it was light related issues that caused the big problem but will he pay any attention?

Formula 1 drivers are to push Bernie Ecclestone to bring the start times of the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix forward for next year, following safety issues that marred the first two events of this season.

Poor light and a low sun in Melbourne, allied to atrocious weather and fading light that forced the abandonment of the Sepang race, have forced the drivers into action to urge a shift in the start time of the 2010 races.

Although Ecclestone has said he is keen to keep the races running at 5pm local time, because it boosts the European television audience, the drivers believe that safety could be improved if the starts are shifted forward by just one hour.

Sources have revealed that part of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) regular post-race report to the FIA following the first two events will include a recommendation for the start times to be moved forward.

And it is understood that the GPDA will also write to Ecclestone to ask if he will consider shifting the start time so as to alleviate safety concerns for 2010.

A source within the GPDA told AUTOSPORT: "We already spoke to Charlie [Whiting, F1 race director] in the drivers' briefings to express our concerns about what could happen, and our fears came true. It was common sense that there would be problems

"In Australia it was very difficult. Because of the low sun, it was hard to see into Turn 1 and the pit lane exit line. While in Malaysia, the fading light made things very difficult.

"It wasn't the rain that was the problem in Malaysia, because it can rain just as heavily at 2pm as it did at 6pm. But there was no chance to restart the race when it started so late because it got too dark - and that was the problem.

"I think even if the races are shifted to one hour earlier it will make a difference. We understand that there are commercial reasons for running the races so late, but safety always has to come first."

Although Malaysian Grand Prix organisers have also expressed their desire to see the start time of their race moved forward, Ecclestone has so far remained adamant that things do not need to change.

When asked by AUTOSPORT at Sepang if he had regrets about the start time, because the race had to be abandoned, he said: "No. I just have regrets about the rain.

"I don't see anything wrong with the start time, we just didn't know about the rain. If we had started at 2pm then it would have rained as well."

By Jonathan Noble, Autosport.com

[Ian]

Ecclestone is only interested in money, he cares not a fig about drivers safety. 

[cosworth151]

If he would just put the races where the fans are, this problem would go away.

[Steven Roy]

Bernie is trying to force the circuit owners into running night races.  Any safety problems will be dumped on them.  You would have thought that Max the great safety advocate would have said something if for no other reason than to protect his own butt.

[Ian]

What a great likeness. 

http://www.dotdotdotcomma.com/motorsport/f1/lookalikes/6

[Scott]

Hilarious Ian. 

Is it just me, or does the Pope have a scary resemblance to the Evil Emperor in Star Wars?   

[johnbull]

They've done it again. Qatar MotoGP cancelled half an hour ago due to heavy rain.

Will somebody please tell Bernie and his MotoGP equivalent that the night is meant for sleeping and not for racing.

I'm presently awaiting news of the new time for this moto GP. It will now happen in daylight which is great, but what a total waste of energy this has been, in this supposed climate of economy.

What a bloody fiasco. First Australia by candle light, then half a race at Malaysia, and now no race at Qatar.

Well done Bernies. You're brilliant.

[Ian]

Yeah JB, I was looking forward to that race too, let the guys, two wheels or four, race in the daylight, it's better for everyone, sod Bernie and Max's millions, lives are more important.

[lkjohnson1950]

No, no. Nothing is more important than Bernie's millions. He's demonstrated that often enough. After all the drivers are paid to race aren't they?

Lonny

[cosworth151]

the night is meant for sleeping and not for racing.

Don't you mean, "partying"?

Seriously, this is a serious safety matter that the GPDA should be raising a major stink about.

[johnbull]

Now we have the Malaysian organisers saying they don't mind spending 6 million to light up the track and have the next GP at night as this would help show up the city lights.

W T F  This is Formula 1. This is Grand Prix racing. This is the World championship, and not a bloody circus.

[Jericoke]

Now we have the Malaysian organisers saying they don't mind spending 6 million to light up the track and have the next GP at night as this would help show up the city lights.

W T F  This is Formula 1. This is Grand Prix racing. This is the World championship, and not a bloody circus.

I thought Singapore looked great on TV, the cars looked fantastic under lighting.  I don't know that would get me to watch more racing, but it's not going to alienate any hard core fans, and putting something shiny on TV will always appeal to some people.

[cosworth151]

My concern, especially in the tropics, would be rain. Even a slight rain under the lights would reduce vision to the point of stopping a race.

[Steven Roy]

It is difficult to switch a night race to day time as the tyres used at night are softer than those used during the day.

Imagine what is going to happen the first time an F1 race doesn't start on the day it is scheduled.  Bernie will probably sue the track owners for not having a roof.

[johnbull]

My concern, especially in the tropics, would be rain. Even a slight rain under the lights would reduce vision to the point of stopping a race.

Which is exactly what happened yesterday at Qatar.

But apart from all this, perhaps I'm too much of a purist, or an old fuddy duddy, but for me racing should take place in sunlight and not artificial light and should be held in daytime not nighttime.

Remember Formula 1 is supposed to be serious business. Or should that be past tense.