Q & A with WRC's Morrie Chandler

Morrie Chandler, WRC rallies commission president: To me, it doesn't make sense. You take the very best driver and you rearrange him so he actually gets the best opportunity on the roads so you're actually widening the gap instead of closing the gap.

I'm sure there will be a big debate on it at the rallies commission meeting next month.

Q. There's a lot of weight behind the argument to change this year's system.

MC: There certainly are a lot of people who want it changed. I think reversing the top 15 cars was too many. I think you could justify reversing the top five or six.

Q. What's the benefit of not reverse seeding the drivers?

MC: It creates a story.

Q. Not everybody sees it that way...

MC: [Citroen team principal] Olivier Quesnel made it very clear to me the rule has got to change and I understand where he's coming from.

Q. Does it concern you that the current situation is confusing for the public, with the constant need for explanation of the running-order problem?

MC: It was confusing to put the leader 15th on the road. It's not a problem if you follow the sport, but for the mums and dads out on this rally (Rally New Zealand) they wouldn't know who the leader is [because he wouldn't be first on the road].