Walkinshaw Calls for Qualifying Changes

Arrows boss Tom Walkinshaw believes "one shot" qualifying sessions would make Formula One a more exciting sport which would see a lot more on-track overtaking.

"It's all too predictable and there is so much emphasis on qualifying, the race is almost over by Saturday afternoon," said Walkinshaw. "Hungary was a classic example. If a driver wasn't on the front two rows there was little chance of winning. If qualifying was done in a slightly different way, extra sparkle could be added."

Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher lead last week's Hungarian Grand Prix at the slow and twisty Hungaroring circuit from start to finish, only losing first place for a few laps when he made his pitstops.

Schumacher eventually won the race and took his fourth title in a race that saw hardly any overtaking manoeuvres. Walkinshaw believes the "one shot" qualifying scheme - in contrast to the current 60-minute sessions - would make the races more exciting.

"Under my scheme the cars would come out at intervals," he added. "They would do their installation lap, their flying one and the slowing-down lap. The action would be non-stop.

"It would add excitement because you could have potential front-row guys in the middle or the back of the grid. They would then have to find a way through the pack on race day. It would make for a much more interesting race without being too artificial."

The "one shot" qualifying scheme is currently used at oval tracks in the American CART series, as well as in the Superbikes World Championship.