Motorsport: Late start for Prix made race 'too dark for safety'

SYDNEY - The controversial starting time of the Australian Grand Prix could be changed after light tests by international governing body FIA deemed the Albert Park circuit too dark during last week's race.

Several drivers complained about the 5pm start time for the Formula One race, which was not aided by gloomy and overcast conditions towards the finish.

The drivers' main issue beforehand had been with the low level of the sun and the danger that could pose, but a light meter test by the FIA showed the light was below the minimum demanded for night race conditions.

Motorsport website autosport.com says the FIA will recommend the start time be moved forward by up to an hour for next year.

The decision to start the Australian grand prix at the later time of 5pm was introduced last year to make the race more accessible to a European morning television audience.

Polish driver Robert Kubica, who finished second in Melbourne behind McLaren's Jenson Button, had a radical suggestion that is unlikely to find favour with spectators.

"Last year when we had this big shift [of start time], we knew what the reason was," Kubica said.

"But then I say, let's do it early in the morning so it is Saturday evening in Europe. "I think after Australia we complained already twice. The FIA did some measurements and it is clear it is too dark for them for the safety target they are putting "

A final decision on the start time rests with Australian grand prix organisers and Formula One commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone.

* German Sebastian Vettel won the Malaysian Grand Prix last night as this edition went to press.

His Red Bull teammate Mark Webber, of Australia, finished second and Nico Rosberg, of Germany, was third.

- AAP