Analysis: Pole Position Not What it Was

Juan Pablo Montoya might have sounded more excited when he set Formula One's fastest ever qualifying lap last year had he known what the future held in store.

"It's pretty good," the Williams driver said in September after roaring round Italy's Monza circuit at an average speed of 259.827 km/h - more than 161 mph.

Having broken a record that had stood since 1985, he added: "But probably next year it's going to be beaten again."

'No way,' would be the reaction now.

Pole is not what it used to be.

Unless the rules change again, the Colombian's scorching lap is set to stand forever and some - Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone apparently among them - are unhappy about the situation.

The sight of 21-year-old Spaniard Fernando Alonso putting his Renault on pole for last Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix may have produced a blast of fresh air for fans but it saddened others.

The Renault is at least 100 horsepower down on power compared to leading rivals and some find the notion that pole is no longer a macho shoot-out rewarding the fastest car and driver to be against the spirit of Formula One.

"Did you like it? Did you have fun with what you just saw? It's horrible," Brazil's Agencia Estado quoted Ecclestone as saying after a session that had Renault celebrating and reporters thumbing through record books.

"The drivers are not driving on the limit in qualifying, and then they complete only one fast lap and return to the pits and do nothing. They don't have the chance to try and beat a rival who has bettered their time. There's no fighting. The excitement of qualifying is gone."

Strategic Challenge

Other disagree with that assessment in a season already looking very different to 2002 when a series of Ferrari one-twos was blamed for triggering a decline in the global television viewing figures.

The rule changes, with single-lap qualifying and a ban on refuelling between Saturday and the race, have turned pole into more of a strategic challenge and slammed the brakes on the speed freaks.

Costly qualifying engines are gone and tyre choices and aerodynamics settings must also be made with the race in mind rather than qualifying. The measures have shaken up the grid but taken away the sport's ultimate test of power and bravery.

Montoya is one of those keeping his fingers crossed that when the season's rule changes are reviewed after the next race in Brazil, action will be taken.

"I think pole is very insignificant compared with last year," he said after Alonso became the youngest driver ever to take pole and the first Spaniard. "Pole last year and the way it has been in history was more significant for driver performance. When the rules are reviewed I wouldn't be surprised if it does change.

"I think it's something very important for the public, to really still see who can really be the fastest guy out there."

Brazilian Ayrton Senna earned 65 pole positions in his career, 14 more than Michael Schumacher currently has.

But the German can do little to increase his tally if other teams continue to qualify with lighter fuel loads. Nor can Montoya, who took seven poles last year but has yet to start on the front row in 2003.

McLaren's David Coulthard, whose team boss Ron Dennis has strongly opposed the ban on refuelling and overnight working on the cars, agreed with Montoya's stance.

"It doesn't mean as much as a pole used to because you can just run light and get the glory," he said.

More Careful

Apart from being slowed in cars heavier than the ones running on a splash of fuel last year, drivers necessarily exercise more restraint under one lap qualifying than previously. One mistake and the back of the grid beckons.

To add insult to injury, drivers who go with heavy fuel loads are seen as slow when they end up well down the grid and behind teammates starting on lighter strategies.

International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Max Mosley suggested last week however that the new emphasis on strategy and consistency was unlikely to change.

"We may never see an ultimate fast lap, but drivers must still avoid an off and not get the car out of shape," he said.