Evening race confirmed for Malaysia.

Malaysia will join Australia in shifting the start time of its grand prix to the late afternoon following pressure to accommodate the sport's core European television audience.

While most races are scheduled to start at 14.00 local time, the second round of the 2009 season at Sepang will instead start at 17.00 local time, running through the evening.

Malaysia has been approached about the possibility of joining Singapore in hosting races under floodlight, but this is being seen as a compromise for the time being.

The new time also applies to qualification, although the free practice sessions will take place at their normal time, unlike in Australia where nearly sessions are set to be held in the evening.

Changed in order to comply with European television audiences, without discounting Asian viewers, the changes mean the Malaysian Grand Prix will start at 10.00 GMT this year.