Drivers queue up for quick route through Bus Stop

After checking it was OK with the clerk of the course, some drivers used the surface in the first qualifying session to take a much smoother and faster line through the chicane. By the time the second qualifying session had begun most of the field had cottoned on.

Estimates varied as to how much time was to be gained. Takuma Sato seemed to be more adept than anyone and found 0.5 seconds (still considerably less than his 0.833s pole advantage), Antonio Pizzonia reckoned it was 0.3s, while Tiago Monteiro reckoned his data-logging system indicated it was 0.18s.

The majority of the paddock want the rules to change for tomorrow's race so that drivers are penalised for using the extra bitumen to gain an advantage.

Sato said: "The team made sure it was not illegal, and if everybody does it you have to. It's a strange feeling though. I'm not a rally driver and I don't like driving like that. It's not right, but I had to do it."