Trulli doesn't like race in the afternoon

Jarno Trulli on Wednesday made clear he is not a big fan of the move to 'twilight racing' in Formula One.

This weekend's action in Australia, and again in Malaysia in just over a week, will take place notably later than usual for the benefit of European television audiences, but not late enough to necessitate expensive floodlighting.

Qualifying and the races are scheduled for 5pm local, meaning that by the end of the sessions, the sun will be low in the sky.

"I don't know about it," the Toyota driver told the Melbourne newspaper The Age.

"I've never raced before this late in the afternoon. I don't know what the light is going to be. In Singapore it was totally dark, with lights. This will be different again.”

"In truth, I prefer the sunny day time," the 34-year-old Italian added.

Ferrari's Felipe Massa this week also referred to the later timetables for the opening races of the 2009 championship.

"The first race is always a bit like a leap in the dark, but I can't wait. As the race starts at 5pm let's hope that it won't also end in the dark!" the Brazilian joked.

Force India's Giancarlo Fisichella said: "It may be a bit darker at the end of the race, but I don't think this will change a lot for the drivers."