The FIA has moved forward the start times of several races as a direct result of the investigation into Jules Bianchi’s crash at Suzuka last year.
One of the key recommendations of the investigating panel was to create a bigger window of daylight in which to get races completed should there be a delay for bad weather or any other reason. In the past several events did not allow for enough daylight to allow for the official four-hour time limit in which a race had to finish.
Five races have been brought forward by an hour, namely Australia (4pm local), Malaysia (3pm), China (2pm), Japan (2pm) and Russia (2pm).
In all cases qualifying still starts later, by two hours in the case of Malaysia, and by one hour in the other four instances.
The newly reinstated Mexican GP will start at 1pm.
One Small Step. Finally!