New qualifying confusing, says Villeneuve

The new format involves three timed sessions. At the end of the first 15 minutes, the slowest five cars will be eliminated and take positions 16 to 20 on the  grid.

The remaining cars take part in another 15-minute session, with the slowest five again being removed before a final 20-minute session for pole position between the last 10 cars.

Villeneuve believes the new format will be hard to understand.

The former World Champion, speaking to Autosprint in an interview, said he was also unhappy about the return of tyre changes.

"The return of tyre changes in the races isn't certainly going to favour Michelin, so I'm not too happy about it," said Villeneuve. "As for the new qualifying system, it seems very complicated; I don't know if we'll manage to sort it out.

"It will be quite odd to see drivers on full tanks going faster than others on low fuel loads. It will also be difficult to follow for spectators. In my opinion the spectacle must be simple in order to be popular."