Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Rosberg criticises twilight races

Nico Rosberg in action as the shadows lengthen at the Australian Grand Prix
Nico Rosberg in action as the shadows lengthen at the Australian Grand Prix

Williams driver Nico Rosberg has criticised the decision to start races late in the afternoon as he believes twilight racing is too dangerous.

Like Sunday's opening race in Australia, the Malaysian Grand Prix is starting at 1700 local time to catch a bigger television audience in Europe.

But Rosberg said: "Twilight racing is not the way to go."

Rosberg also warned that this weekend's race in Malaysia could be halted because of heavy rain.

The 23-year-old German finished in sixth place in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Sunday but was concerned as the light faded at the end of the race.

"In Melbourne it was obvious that it just increases the danger so much," said Rosberg, who finished second in Formula 1's first night race in Singapore last year.

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"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 last part of the race that was the really problematic time."

And with the Malaysian Grand Prix taking place this weekend, Rosberg has warned that the late start combined with the threat of possible tropical downpours could cause problems in Kuala Lumpur.

"If the monsoon comes down, the race is going to have to be stopped because we can't race and drive with that amount of water," he added.

The Williams team are not yet using the new energy storage and power boost system (Kers) but Rosberg says he wants it available as soon as possible.

The technology stores energy that would have been wasted while braking and allows drivers a boost of an extra 80bhp for seven seconds each lap and Rosberg said: "It was clear in Melbourne that, especially for racing, it's a very beneficial thing to have.

"I was really struggling to hold behind me people with Kers and also to overtake people with Kers was difficult for me.

"It's definitely something we need to push hard to get on the car. I'm not sure when it's going to happen but hopefully soon.

"But also that makes it interesting for the racing, some teams have it and some teams don't. It's just a big mess and that's what the spectators need."

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