Barrichello Supports New Qualifying Format

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello has shown his support for the new qualifying system that will be introduced in Formula One starting in 2003.

Under the new format, qualifying will take place over Friday and Saturday, each driver completing a single flying lap on their own in each hour-long session. The times from Friday will not determine the grid positions, but will dictate the starting order for Saturday's, with the quickest driver from the previous day running last.

Barrichello, who last year scored three pole positions, thinks the new format will spice things up and the Ferrari driver was also thankful that there will not be traffic problems next season.

"The one lap for qualifying is a good idea," said the Brazilian. "Not just because of the enjoyment of having to put 101% effort into the single lap, but also because we will be alone on the track with no traffic. It was getting to a point in several qualifying sessions where we often had problems running with other cars on their warm up or slow down laps.

"It will be interesting to see how it works out, because there is always the chance that it might rain for part of the qualifying hour, even if that was not the case very often in the past. Once in a while, I guess it will shake up what we have come to accept as the usual grid order and that will certainly make the race fun for the spectators.

"I think this will also mean more people will be interested in coming to the track on Friday and Saturday."