Coulthard Not Enjoying New Qualifying Format

Scot David Coulthard said he does not like the new one-lap qualifying format - despite insisting before the season-opening Grand Prix weekend that the high-pressure sessions would play into his hands.

Coulthard managed just sixth place in Friday's qualifying session and will start Sunday's Australian Grand Prix from 11th on the grid after a disappointing run in his McLaren-Mercedes in Saturday's session at Albert Park.

"I don't like the new system," Coulthard admitted. "But you would expect me to say that after today wouldn't you - I nearly ran off at the first corner and that affected my confidence for the rest of the lap."

His grid position is not fully indicative of his performance, however, as the teams were forced to bring race tactics into the qualifying session because they are not allowed to re-fuel their cars between that run and the race itself.

Coulthard's team are likely to have opted for a one-stop strategy in a bid to out-think rivals Ferrari, who are thought to have opted for a two-stop tactic and consequently secured both places on the front row of the grid.

The Scot's car will have been heavier than most for his qualifying run and that, to some extent, is why he finished in such a low position. But he admitted that even ignoring the tactics his run was a disappointment.

"It was like last year's qualifying, except it is like qualifying eighth for us with problems ahead," he said. "We don't know what is going to happen but now we are badly handicapped for the race."