Sepang circuit boss Razlan Razali said that this year's Malaysian F1 Grand Prix "may start earlier as a safety precaution following Jules Bianchi's horrific crash in Japan last October." Razali, speaking after contract renewal talks in London with F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone, said that "they discussed returning the race" to a 3pm local time slot from 4pm last season. That "would mean less likelihood of the tropical downpours that have affected some recent races, including the 2009 race" (REUTERS, 1/14). ... A new doping scandal involving Russian athletes "has erupted after the IAAF confirmed it is investigating allegations that race walker Elena Lashmanova, who won gold at the London Olympics, took part in a race in December despite being subject to a two-year doping ban." The IAAF confirmed that "it is looking into the claims, and alleged attempts to cover up her participation." Claims surfaced in Italian race walking periodical Marcia dal Mondo that "she competed in the indoor regional championships of her home region of Mordovia in Russia last month, and photographs were published of her participating" (London DAILY MAIL, 1/14).
