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Stoddart slams quali format

Minardi team boss Paul Stoddart has criticised the qualifying format in place for the 2005 Formula 1 season, claiming that it is neither good for the fans or the television broadcasters

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Speaking at the Autosport International Racing Car Show at Birmingham's NEC, Stoddart said that there is a lot of resistance to the new format which will see the teams take part in two one-lap qualifying hours, one on Saturday and one on the morning of raceday, with drivers' positions based on aggregate times.

"We have had more changes in qualifying in the last three years than at any time I can remember, and if you did it in any other sport there would be an outcry," he said. "There has been an awful lot of resistance to the format for 2005. A lot of people think we will lose the audience for Saturday. The broadcasters are worried about cramming things in on Sunday for what is an integral part of a weekend.

"Overwhelmingly the most favoured option is the 2003 option. Friday gave the press and public something to see, then the traditional Saturday format made sense with the race on Sunday."

Stoddart pointed out that there is a danger that Formula 1 may alienate the fans with a format that is too hard to follow and takes away the drama and excitement of qualifying.

"Whether this new idea will work I don't know," he said. "Particularly with aggregate times, it is very, very hard, as you are commentating on that lap...very, very hard to explain that through.

"I think the main thing to remember is that we are very privileged to have 350 million people watching us 19 times a year this season. The day we forget about the public that watch on television and those that come to the races is the day when we are dead.

"We are actually trying to take notice. In qualifying, we do realise we have got to get it right, if it goes back to all cars on the track together, no problems at all, Minardi will still send the cars out first [to ensure some TV exposure]."

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