Lewis Hamilton says F1 should let fans judge new qualifying format
Lewis Hamilton has urged critics of Formula 1's new qualifying format to wait until the system has made its debut in Australia before passing judgment
On Friday the World Motor Sport Council confirmed an earlier decision made by the F1 Commission that qualifying for this season would take on an elimination style, with the slowest driver knocked out at 90-second intervals in the closing minutes of each segment.
F1 has come in for criticism for the uncertainty that surrounded the changes in recent weeks, and many believe the qualifying format did not need to be changed in the first place.
How F1 created its qualifying shambles
Hamilton, who has made his views clear on certain aspects of F1 most recently, notably with regard to its direction, and especially the 'halo' cockpit protection system, is holding fire on this occasion until he has sampled the new format.
"What's most important is how the fans feel about it," said Hamilton.
"There have been some good formats and some OK formats.
"I've generally enjoyed the format of the last few years.
"That's why it doesn't make sense to me right now, the changes that have been made, but don't knock it until you try it.
"I'm looking forward to getting to Melbourne and trying it out, and maybe we'll be surprised.
"It may be really exciting, or maybe it won't. We'll see.
"We'll get there, see how it goes, and then immediately you'll get comments from the fans as to whether it's good or not."
Team-mate Nico Rosberg does not feel Mercedes will be too deeply affected by the change, although he has yet to fully review the system.
Unaware of its confirmed introduction when asked, Rosberg initially joked: "It's back again? Don't say it's going ahead, we still have two weeks!
"I don't think for us it makes much difference.
"It's more for the people in the midfield, and maybe in wet-weather conditions, where it will become much more complicated.
"To be honest, I don't even know what's coming. I haven't looked into it because it doesn't really change much for us.
"But before Melbourne I will tick that box to know what to do and what's coming for qualifying."
McLaren's Alonso sure some F1 teams will get new rules wrong
McLaren's Alonso sure some F1 teams will get new rules wrong McLaren's Alonso sure some F1 teams will get new rules wrong
Formula 1 peaked in 2000s, not Senna/Prost era, Alonso believes
Formula 1 peaked in 2000s, not Senna/Prost era, Alonso believes Formula 1 peaked in 2000s, not Senna/Prost era, Alonso believes
How Hamilton has battled his own mentality
How Hamilton has battled his own mentality How Hamilton has battled his own mentality
Hamilton: 2023 Red Bull is most dominant F1 car I’ve seen
Hamilton: 2023 Red Bull is most dominant F1 car I’ve seen Hamilton: 2023 Red Bull is most dominant F1 car I’ve seen
The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Schumacher & more
The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Schumacher & more The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Schumacher & more
How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem
How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem
Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid leading Sao Paulo E-Prix "quite dangerous"
Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid leading Sao Paulo E-Prix "quite dangerous" Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid leading Sao Paulo E-Prix "quite dangerous"
Mir penalised for Quartararo clash in Portugal MotoGP sprint race
Mir penalised for Quartararo clash in Portugal MotoGP sprint race Mir penalised for Quartararo clash in Portugal MotoGP sprint race
Dennis critical of "plonker" Ticktum after Sao Paulo E-Prix clash
Dennis critical of "plonker" Ticktum after Sao Paulo E-Prix clash Dennis critical of "plonker" Ticktum after Sao Paulo E-Prix clash
Tech3 won't replace injured Espargaro for next two MotoGP rounds
Tech3 won't replace injured Espargaro for next two MotoGP rounds Tech3 won't replace injured Espargaro for next two MotoGP rounds
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.