Ecclestone wants to keep the Malaysian GP at the same time

Bernie Ecclestone, the chief financial officer of Formula 1, wanted to respond to the organizers of the Malaysian Grand Prix by affirming his interest in starting at the same time, locally 5 PM, despite the torrential downpour that interrupted the race last Sunday.

The Malaysian Grand Prix was somewhat shortened last Sunday due to a torrential downpour. The tropical showers of the equatorial region quickly disrupted the smooth running of the race. The FIA and especially the drivers deemed it wise to interrupt the Grand Prix after 32 laps.

The Malaysian organizers announced yesterday their intention to change the GP start time, which they consider too late. At 5 p.m. locally, the GP ends around 6:30 p.m., which is at dusk and especially when the chances of monsoon are highest. More than just an hour, the most interesting option would be to move the race to the end of the season, when monsoons are less frequent.

Ecclestone, in response, wanted to reaffirm his interest in a race in Sepang at 5 p.m., allowing the Grand Prix to be broadcast in Europe at 11 a.m., a prime viewing time. The numbers speak for themselves as audiences are rising sharply across the old continent. The Englishman therefore sets aside the interruption of the race by the monsoon, which he deems unfortunate… « We must keep the same schedule, I just have regrets about the rain… » Comments Ecclestone to Autosport magazine.

« I don’t see anything that justifies a change in the start time of the GP. We couldn’t have known about the rain, especially since even if we had started at 2 PM, it would have rained as well… »

The president of the circuit, Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir, told the New Straits Times that he was in talks with Ecclestone. The goal will be to change the start time, and failing that, to change the date on the calendar to avoid the monsoons.

« We are in the process of looking for a solution, so we do not know what time the Malaysian GP will start next year. We are considering changing the period. »

After a quick survey in the paddocks, the F1 teams would not agree either; some want to change the time, others the date.

Last year, the race started at 2 p.m. local time, which was 8 a.m. in France. A bit too early to get some fans out of bed…