Rubens: no point in qual 1

The only change to the qualifying procedure, starting in Bahrain, will be that it will start an hour earlier, at 1pm instead of 2pm, a change requested by commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone for broadcasting reasons. The second part, instead of starting immediately after the first runs, will begin at exactly 2pm. This is again to assist broadcasters, who will likely now be able to schedule more accurately.

In Australia most drivers admitted that they did not think the prize of running late in the second session was worth the risk of going off and missing the second run, or of damaging the car and needing to take the T-car, at a cost of 10 grid slots.

Rubens Barrichello said: "I was first out on to the track in Australia and you always find that Melbourne is about one second slower when no cars have run on it for an hour. It improves car-by-car until after about five cars, there is no problem. So there was absolutely no point in me pushing at all.

"In Malaysia it's different. The surface has different characteristics and is always ready. But, with the heat, you might actually get cooler conditions at the start of the second run than at the end, and therefore an advantage. So, again, there will be no value in finishing first, second or third in first qualifying.

"Nobody remembers it now anyway and there was more value to the first session last year, on Friday, when at least you got the next day's press. At Silverstone I won after spinning on the Friday. Then came Saturday and I was on the pole. If it was the same situation this year, I'd have ruined my chances."