Opinion varied on the new qualifying format
Opinions varied after the first one-shot final qualifying session of the new season, especially as to whether the post-qualifying refuelling ban is a positive move. It means that driver's are no longer able to react to their fortunes in qualifying by varying their race strategy.
McLaren boss Ron Dennis said: "I think the answer lies in history. In Brazil last year, for example, Rubens Barrichello had a bad qualifying session, opted to start the race light and went on to provide some of the moments of the race. I don't think that this is Formula 1. It just isn't."
Williams technical director Patrick Head added: "Personally, I think it was a bit of a bore but the TV people say that it's good news. I think we shouldn't be too hasty in our judgement and probably need to go half a season to see how things go."
Juan Pablo Montoya, perhaps surprisingly for a man who took seven pole positions under last year's format - with the cars in ultimate lightweight specification - enjoyed qualifying with a heavier car. "It actually takes more out of the driver having a heavier car without a perfect balance," he said. "It's actually a bigger challenge. I think it was good."
Share Or Save This Story
WRC Estonia: Unbeatable Pajari leads after perfect Friday
"Not getting ahead of ourselves" - Why Norris was downbeat in Belgium despite F1 practice pace
Alpine explains Gasly's crash that red-flagged FP2
What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 F1 Belgian GP
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.
Top Comments