F-1 drivers pushed Bernie Ecclestone to change the race times for next year’s GPs in Australia and Malaysia.
Lack of natural light contributed to the premature end of the race early in Sepang last weekend, affected by rain.

Races in Asian countries were originally changed to start later to increase the worldwide audience but drivers maintain that safety is more important.

Autosport ’s magazine reports  that the GPDA, (Grand Prix Drivers Association) will include a recommendation on schedules for 2010. The GPDA also wrote directly to Ecclestone over the issue.

“We spoke with Charlie [Whiting, FIA race director of] the briefings and express concerns about what could happen. And our fears have become true,” said a source from the GPDA.

“In Australia, it was very difficult. Because of the Sunset, it was difficult to see the first curve and leaving the pit lane. In Malaysia, the fact that the light is becoming less intense things difficult.”

“It was not the rain the problem in Malaysia, as it can rain heavily on the 14h or 18h. But there was no chance of relargada because it was getting very dark, and that was the problem,” added the source of the English magazine.

While drivers and organizers of the Malaysian GP Ecclestone pressure, he insists not see anything wrong in the schedule. “Only we did not know the rain. It would also be the rains had started the race 14 hours,” he said.