Di Resta feels the heat in Malaysia

The race in Malaysia has become renowned for its heat, humidity, and at times torrential downpours such as the one that brought an early end in 2009 when it was stopped after 31 of the 56 laps. As an indicator, yesterday’s temperatures hit 31 degrees centigrade during the two 90-minute practice sessions, with humidity at a peak of 62 per cent during the second of those in the afternoon.

For once there was no rain that generally falls on a daily basis, so ensuring the drivers managed to maximise their time around the Sepang International Circuit. That was a relief at least, but no guarantee qualifying today or tomorrow’s race will not be interrupted.

Even without the rain the day was bad enough as Force India star Di Resta said: “Each year you return you just can’t imagine how people can live here all year. It’s cruel.

“In the cockpit it’s probably 15 to 16 degrees hotter than it is outside, given you’ve four layers of Nomex (the flame-resistant clothing) and your helmet. The surfaces are hotter because you’ve various different boxes and electrical equipment in the car. And when you are sat in the garage after you come in and the brakes are stinking hot, you’ve the heat from the tyres, the engine. It’s oppressive. At least when you are moving you’ve airflow, which is not a problem, but it’s just being surrounded by the heat in the garage.

“Even walking in there, when the cars have been fired up, you can feel the difference.”

Throw in the rain which can fall at any given time and Di Resta added: “That’s the thing, you are always on edge, and you are on edge through the whole grand prix.”

Di Resta believes he loses as much as up to a kilo and a half in weight during the race, although for some drivers it is as much as three kilos.

“It’s Monday when you feel it, just trying to rehydrate,” said Di Resta. “Some drivers are different, but I find it quite difficult to eat after a race just because of the way my body is.”

Alcohol is a no-no, not even celebratory champagne should he make it onto the podium as he said: “It’s the last thing you want when you’ve finished a race here. I would love to be spraying it, but the bubbles would go to your head too much.”

Bathgate driver Di Resta, who grabbed a point at the death in the season-opening race in Australia last weekend, finished 13th quickest following yesterday’s two practice sessions. It was not the smoothest of days as his car suffered a broken brake disc early in the second session, ruling him out of the picture for a period of time. “It was unfortunate because it was right at the beginning of the session as well,” said Di Resta. “We changed the material and managed to get back out, but when you lose 40 minutes it is quite difficult. It wasn’t ideal. It’s nothing major, these things happen and you just have to trust what the guys are saying and get on with it. At least we look more competitive to some of the midfield teams, but it’s very difficult to predict here because tyre degradation is so high.”

Di Resta believes getting into the top ten in qualifying will be “a tough ask” given McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes and Lotus are all ahead of Force India in the pecking order. It was Lewis Hamilton who led the way in both sessions, with his quickest lap in the morning run of one minute 38.021 seconds.

Mercedes duo Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg sandwiched Hamilton’s team-mate Jenson Button in third place, a third of a second down on the benchmark.

With the 27-year-old Hamilton the favourite for a second consecutive pole, he said: “It’s been a good day for me. “We’ve made a few changes to the balance of the car since the last race and I’m much happier. But we’ll still be making changes to improve our long-run pace, which can always be better. Around here overtaking will be a little more possible than in Melbourne. Nevertheless, starting from the front will still be the best position for the race. That’s what I’ll be going for.”