Melbourne will stage another ‘twilight’ grand prix this year.
The 2010 edition at Albert Park was criticised by drivers who said fading light towards the end was dangerous.

But Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman Ron Walker had denied reports that the drivers had lobbied successfully for an earlier race start, while Bernie Ecclestone favoured the twilight concept for European television viewers.

“It (the 5pm start) is clearly not dangerous,” said Walker. “You can’t please these drivers, they are a bunch of lazy people who won’t do anything to help the sport.”

The FIA announced on Friday that the 2011 race on 27 March will start at 1700.

Meanwhile, a race start time for the inaugural Indian grand prix in October has not yet been set.

As afternoon becomes evening in Singapore, the storm clouds are gathering above the city street circuit.

As the experience of the past week has shown, any significant rain from now until the race-start at 8pm is likely to guarantee a wet track for the grand prix.

“The track dries incredibly slowly,” observed Red Bull’s Mark Webber.  “It’s something I haven’t seen in my entire career.”

Until late afternoon on Sunday, the sun had been shining in the Asian city-state’s Marina Bay area.

But with three hours to go until race time, the skies have darkened, the wind is picking up, and there has been the odd drop of rain.

There is rain showing on the longer distance radar, but most paddock sources believe the race should be dry.

“If it does rain, the track will never dry out.  It takes so long,” agreed McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton.