Sepang heat sets big challenge for drivers

Coming as it does at the beginning of the year, most drivers are in top physical condition after intensive winter training programmes without the interruption of race weekends. On the flip side of the coin, however, the lack of racing for four months means that muscles that are only used driving a racing car are weaker than later on in the season. Although sophisticated training programmes can compensate, they cannot eliminate the factor altogether.

"Malaysia is the hardest race of the whole year," said Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello. "In my first race here in '99, with Stewart, I was drinking water for the first half of the race and the water ran out with 20 laps to go. It was a nightmare. I could see the desert and strange things in front of me!

"You have to drink the whole time and really concentrate on the body by taking in fluids all day long. But as a Brazilian I'm lucky - it's hot there too, so I've been able to train in the hot weather so my body won't suffer so much. I enjoy the situation because when you're physically prepared you don't suffer as much."