Barrichello: Heat will challenge Williams

The Brazilian admitted that the team was not fully prepared for the heat at the Bahrain season opener and was unable to extract the potential from the FW32 as a result.

The pace was much improved in the cool conditions of Melbourne last weekend, but Barrichello says the team will have to get a grip on the heat to repeat that performance in Malaysia.

"Bahrain was fairly difficult with the heat; we were not fully prepared," Barrichello said. "The car was running too hot and I don't think we used the maximum. Melbourne was a lot easier for us and we were able to work on the car and get the best out of it.

"So the question is if we have done our homework well to see if we can keep the performance of Melbourne here [Malaysia]. It's going to be a test to see if the Williams is suitable for the heat - that's the most important thing."

But Barrichello doesn't expect the heat and humidity to cause him any problems, personally.

"I think it's serious, it's one of the toughest times," he said when asked about driving under those conditions. "But being a Brazilian I'm lucky that I have that at home as well, so I feel good."