Dennis Backs Low-Fuel Qualifying

McLaren boss Ron Dennis on Saturday backed the plans to re-introduce low fuel qualifying sessions and claimed it will make the achievement of winning pole position more meaningful again.

The top grid spot has become less of an achievement since the new single-lap qualifying rules were introduced last year because teams qualify on race fuel and can run a light car to win a place at the front.

That regulation was introduced in an effort to mix up the grids and has successfully achieved its aim but Dennis believed teams have got the hang of the strategies now and said it is right for it to now be scrapped.

"The debate amongst the teams is that everyone has mastered the strategy game and most cars qualify on similar fuel levels now," said Dennis, who said unanimous agreement has been reached on a new qualifying format.

"I don't think racing is being dramatically improved by this regulation and it has been to a significant detriment of qualifying. But before we finalise it we must cover all the 'what-ifs'"

The new proposal is to have one 20-minute qualifying session followed by a 20-minute break and a second 20-minute qualifying session, with cars having to take part in both to set a qualifying time.

Dennis said that one issue was that if a car stopped in the first session the driver's participation in the second would depend on where he stopped and whether the team could get the car back in time.

But he added: "If you stop in the first session, then you will not be allowed to start the second and you will be starting from the back. It is things like this that we need to make sure are thought through."

Dennis believes all the teams must ensure the changes are made in a structured way to avoid any mistakes but added: "Introducing the changes at Silverstone will give us a chance to consider more changes for next year if we need to."