Jules Bianchi crash: F1 drivers hope start time choice is analysed

Amid the threat of poor weather conditions around the 3pm start time, it is understood that the FIA twice offered the event's promoter the chance to move the race to earlier in the day.

On both occasions, the track's bosses insisted that they were happy to stick to the schedule.

Although there was a brief red flag period after the start caused by heavy rain, the race was able to run without major incident until a late downpour in fading light conditions.

It was then that Adrian Sutil spun off the track, bringing out the recovery vehicle that Bianchi crashed into a lap later after losing control in exactly the same spot.

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo was among several drivers to suggest that while it would be wrong to say the 3pm start contributed to the crash, efforts should be made to understand if things could be done better in similar situations in the future.

"There was definitely talk about that," said the Australian when asked whether the race should have started earlier.

"What's done is done. They have to analyse it, look back and if they could have or should have done something then they will know for next time."

Force India's Sergio Perez said that while the Bianchi crash could be linked to the race start time, it was not right simply to suggest the accident proved the GP should have begun sooner.

"If you look at hindsight of course [it was wrong], but you never know what is going to happen," he said.

RECOVERY VEHICLE LESSONS

Williams driver Valtteri Bottas thinks there are other issues that need investigating too - such as how recovery vehicles are used in tricky situations.

Asked how he felt about the tractor vehicle being used next to the track, Bottas replied: "It's a difficult one. That's not for me to decide what they do. I think the FIA did everything like normal.

"They check if they can get the car out quickly and if it should be OK.

"As it was a tricky place and there was more and more water coming, it's easy to say afterwards that it was a dangerous place [to have a recovery vehicle].

"But I think it's worth a really good look to see if there's something we can learn from it."