Leading Names Critical of New Qualifying Format

Leading members of the Grand Prix paddock criticised the new qualifying format after it was introduced in Albert Park on Saturday in the build-up to Sunday's season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

This year's new regulations see qualifying split into two single-lap runs in two consecutive sessions on Saturday rather than last year's format, which saw one run on Friday and one on Saturday.

But the changes have drawn criticism for making television tedious and forcing drivers to wait around in the garages for too long while their rivals complete their laps over the one-and-a-half hour session.

"Even for us who sit around and simply have to wait it's not that interesting, honestly," said World Champion Michael Schumacher after claiming pole position. "But, you know, I think (the media) and the spectators wanted something different.

"The media were complaining of it two or three years ago and something was changed. Then another complaint, something was changed, and now that's what we have so now you complain again..."

Juan Pablo Montoya, who finished third fastest after Saturday's two runs, agreed that the new regulations have made Saturday running less interesting that it has been in the past. Minardi team boss Paul Stoddart questioned the safety of the new format because his cars finished last in the first session and had to go out first in the next, with next to no time available to make any alterations.

"It is dangerous," said Stoddart, who saw Zsolt Baumgartner finish 17th and Gianmaria Bruni fail to set a time. "There is not enough time between the two sessions to get the car sorted out properly."

Grand Prix supremo Bernie Ecclestone, the sport's commercial rights holder, has also been a critic of the new regulations, calling them "ridiculous", and has suggested the format be returned to two one-hour sessions.