So the Formula One teams have got to grips with the new slick tyres and the controversial KERS system – but now they have a new concern to contend with – the sunset!
While some are weighing up the pros and cons of starting on soft or hard tyres, others are fretting about the late starting time of the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Just like in Australia, the second Grand Prix of the season at the Sepang circuit, will get underway at 5pm in order to attract more Europeans TV viewers.
However, with rain predicted for this weekends race and the memory driving into the sunset at Albert Park still fresh in the drivers minds, the prospect of driving after the sun has set and in the twilight zone is giving rise to concern in the paddock.
William’s driver Nico Rosberg told Reuters news agency: ‘I think twilight racing is not the way to go. In Melbourne it was obvious that it just increases the danger so much.
‘The visibility is so difficult, you can’t even see the edges of the track in some corners. I was driving into the sun and that’s not what racing is about. So I really hope they reconsider that.
‘Even moving it forward by one hour or something will help us massively. It was just the past part of the race that was the really problematic time.’
His concerns were echoed by BMW driver Nick Heidfeld. He added: ‘We’ve often experienced cloudbursts in Malaysia in the late afternoon and early evening. This year’s schedule increases the chances that we will still be on the track at this time. Hopefully it will still be light enough.’
Alex Kapadia, Operations Executive