Theissen Welcomes New Qualifying Format

BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen believes the new qualifying format will provide additional excitement to next year's Formula One Championship.

"The existing measures are okay for us. We welcome, especially, the modified qualifying," Theissen told BMW Motorsport's website. "It will boost the excitement even more. There is no doubt that in 2003 â€" when the conditions change in the qualifying â€" the Sunday race will also be more exciting when then the top drivers, will be further back in the field than expected."

Under the revised rules, qualifying will take place over Friday and Saturday, with each driver given a single flying lap on their own in each hour-long session. Friday's times will not count towards the grid but will dictate the starting order for Saturday's decisive session, with the fastest running last.

Theissen believes Williams driver Ralf Schumacher is likely to benefit from the new format, while he thinks Colombian teammate Juan Pablo Montoya will have to raise his game when setting up his car if he is to shine again in qualifying in 2003.

"At the beginning of the qualifying, Ralf was usually quicker to adjust his car," he said. "Most of the times, Juan Pablo fluffed at the beginning. For him it is important to adjust his car faster, as he did this year in the rest of the qualifying.

"If he succeeds in doing this, his name will again attract positive attention."

Montoya scored seven pole positions last year, five of them in a row, while Schumacher clinched none.