Coulthard Left Cold by New Qualifying

David Coulthard hopes television viewers were excited by Formula One's single-shot qualifying session at the Australian Grand Prix on Friday - because it left him cold.

But other drivers and team officials offered support to the new qualifying regime put in place this season.

"I don't want to be negative just for the sake of it," said McLaren's Coulthard after clocking the sixth fastest time in a session that determines the starting order for Saturday's decisive qualifying.

"I used to get a buzz out of a qualifying session...I've just done my Friday qualifying and I feel a bit 'what was that?' If it was good television and other people are buzzing then I have to say that it was just a personal feeling today, maybe I got out of the wrong side of the bed.

"From a driver point of view it wasn't as exciting."

Qualifying has changed dramatically as part of a push to revive television viewing figures and cut costs in the face of global recession and creeping boredom at Ferrari's dominance.

Instead of the one-hour Saturday session that has been in place since 1996, drivers now have a lap each on Friday and Saturday to decide their starting positions. The Friday session determines only the Saturday starting order, with the fastest in the first session running last in the final run-off.

Red Roadsweeper

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher went first on Friday and complained that he felt like a roadsweeper for the others.

"I can say that I found it a bit strange doing one lap and then having to wait so long to find out what position I had," said the five times champion.

But other drivers were happier with the changes.

"Qualifying was okay for me. It's important to put on a good show for the people and I think we did that," said Sauber's German Heinz-Harald Frentzen.

"I found the first qualifying session very exciting," said BMW motorsport director Gerhard Berger, a former Ferrari and McLaren driver. "Due to the new rules a completely new picture comes up after all the years of routine...It is great if one can concentrate on observing a car for a full lap."

Team boss Eddie Jordan, ever the businessman with his eye on the balance sheet, was delighted with a format that guaranteed his sponsors precious minutes of undiluted attention.

Michelin tyre boss Pierre Dupasquier, who has been in Formula One for decades, also gave the new format a thumbs-up.

"My eyes were riveted to the timing screens, comparing drivers' different sector times," he said. "It was fascinating to the end when Cristiano da Matta looked as though he was capable of challenging for a place in the top three.

"I think the new system is good for the show."

Former champion Jackie Stewart, watching with Jaguar, said the jury was still out on the format.

"I think there was an enormous amount of public interest and a lot more media interest after Friday's Formula One session than I have ever seen before," said the Scot. "I think the jury's still out and we have to wait until two to three races before we see what's happening."