Di Resta admits to feeling the heat in Malaysia

31 of 56 laps. It was dry during practice yesterday but temperatures hit 31 degrees, with humidity at a peak of 62% during the second session.

The Scot, who grabbed a point at the death in the season-opening race in Australia last weekend, finished 13th quickest.

The Force India driver 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 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 sitting 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, but it’s just being surrounded by the heat in the garage.” Throw in the prospect of rain 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-anda-half in weight during the race. For some drivers it is as much as three kilos.

“It’s Monday when you feel it, just trying to rehydrate,” he said. “Some drivers are different, but I find it quite difficult to eat after a race.”