Guide

The 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix was memorable for one particular reason - the rain downpour that called a halt to the race.
Driving conditions were so bad that the race was suspended and ultimately cancelled when the light was too poor to resume. As the race had been stopped before half distance, half points were awarded to the top eight, making the race the first event since the 1991 Australian Grand Prix to be a half points race. The Grand Prix will again start at 16:00hrs local time this year, making the late afternoon rain shower a distinct possibility again.
Even if it doesn’t rain, humidity is upwards of 70%, which makes the race one of the most physically demanding of the year. It’s not unknown for drivers to lose as much as 4kg over a race distance through sweating. Car performance too can be compromised by the heat as the circuit loses grip during the heat of the day as tyre and aerodynamic performance drops.