Ecclestone Slams 'Horrible' Qualifying Format

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has slammed the new qualifying system introduced this season, and claimed that changes could be seen during the year in order to improve the show.

FIA president Max Mosley introduced a series of new rules to spice up racing this season, with qualifying undergoing a heavy revision. Qualifying now takes place over two days, with each driver completing a single flying lap on Friday to determine the running order for the grid-deciding Saturday session.

Refuelling is now banned between qualifying and the race, which means that some drivers could run with less fuel and still set quick times but would have to pit very early in the race. Ecclestone, who attended qualifying for the Malaysian Grand Prix on Friday, said the new system is not working, as drivers do not push to the limit.

"Did you like it? Did you have fun with what you just saw? It's horrible," Ecclestone said today in an interview with Brazil's news agency Agencia Estado. "First, the drivers are not driving on the limit in qualifying, and then they complete only one fast lap and they return to the pits and do nothing, they can only watch.

"They don't have the chance to try to beat a rival who has bettered their time. There's no fighting, the excitement of qualifying is gone."

When asked if the system could be changed this season, he replied: "Sure, why not? Wait a bit and you'll see if it changes or not. When you go to see the doctor and he gives you a pill and that doesn't heal you, he changes your medication.

"[The new system] is not working. We are going to wait a bit longer and then we are going to change it, yes. They want to transform our sport into a show. Did you see a show today?"

Ecclestone's comments come after Spaniard Fernando Alonso and Italian Jarno Trulli secured a front row sweep at Sepang, where rivals suggested the Renault duo was running on very low fuel.