Williams doubts quali change

A lack of desire for change, rather than an acceptance that Formula 1's new-for-2005 qualifying system is good, is likely to result in the format remaining in place for the start of the season, claims team boss Frank Williams

Jonathan Noble Jan 10, 2005, 2:47 PM

Despite a growing raft of criticism about the plans for final qualifying to take place on Sunday morning, a factor that has particularly upset the television stations covering the sport, there appears to be no strong desire by team bosses to make a change.

And Williams has admitted that unless F1's commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone pushes for a new qualifying format to be introduced then he believes there is highly unlikely to be any change.

"The system is decided, and the only way it could be changed is if all the teams and Max and Bernie say let's go and do it in a different way," said Williams. "I don't think there is enough energy behind it [to change].

"If Bernie knew F1 had to have a change then he would make a lot of noise about it and probably achieve what he wanted. At the end of the day, we look to Bernie - and for television we ask him what he wants us to do. That is a fact of life."