Hamilton rues Malaysia decision

Lewis Hamilton says F1 will lose one its toughest races when the Malaysian GP drops off the calendar next year.

Sunday's race at Sepang will be the last at the circuit following the Malaysian government's decision not to renew the contract beyond 2017, citing declining ticket sales, viewer figures and tourism numbers. 

But three-time world champion Hamilton says he will miss racing on the high-speed track, which has been on the F1 calendar since 1999, and where cockpit temperatures can hit 50C and humidity levels can reach 70%.

"It is definitely sad to think this is the last race because it is such an epic grand prix in terms of a physical challenge," he said at a news conference ahead of this Sunday's Malaysia GP, which is live on eir Sport 1 [race time 8am].

 "It's the most challenging for the car and the team, so they are taking away one of the toughest, if not the toughest, grand prix of the season, which will be hard to replace."

Drivers can lose three litres of body fluid in sweat over a 90-minute race, and Hamilton's Mercedes' team-mate Valtteri Bottas likened the conditions to "a mild sauna".

"We have all of our gear on -- plus the helmet -- and the car is hot as well," the Finn said.

"The seat itself is warm, and then we're surrounded in the cockpit by the electrical boxes. It gets really hot.

"One of the main things is to keep hydrated. If you dip just once with your hydration, it takes a long time to get back on track. 

"We have to drink lots of water as well as sports drinks containing electrolytes to keep the levels at the right place. You absolutely need to make sure you're well hydrated."

Hamilton, who leads Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel in this year’s drivers' championship by 28 points, won the race at the Hermann Tilke-designed track in 2014, but was forced to retire last year after suffering engine failure when leading from pole position.

The Malaysia Grand Prix at the Sepang international circuit will be shown live over the weekend of 29 September-1 October on eir Sport in Ireland. The race is live on eir Sport 1 on Sunday, 1 October [race time 8am]

Photo Getty Images/Clive Mason

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