Chevy duo hit out at new qualifying

The championship's qualifying regulations, and grid format for race two, have undergone changes this year. As before, the qualifying session will be split into two parts, Q1 and Q2. All cars will take part in Q1. The fastest 10 cars will recommence qualifying for Q2.

The starting grid for race one will be drawn up by the top 10 cars from Q2 followed by those cars eliminated during Q1, but now the race two grid order will be determined by the final results of Q1 - with the first 10 points-eligible cars placed in reverse order.

Prior to this year, the race two grid was set by the results of race one, with the top eight finishers reversed.

Huff and Muller admitted that the new regulations would encourage them to aim for 10th in Q1 rather than pushing flat-out.

"My approach has to be to aim for pole position," said Huff, "and if that means finishing 10th in Q1 that's what I will aim for.

"Why bother? If they had given us some incentive for trying like 10 points for being fastest, you would [push]. I don't see any reason why I should hide my approach.

"It will be difficult to [achieve], though. We have to get through to Q2, where I think we should be able to qualify on the first two rows.

"Previously, the whole reason of the reverse grid was to get the fastest guys starting 10th and fighting their way through, and that's what made for such great TV."

Team-mate and defending world champion Muller added: "It will be the first time in my career that I won't push 100 per cent in qualifying. I am not sure if they can change the regulations in the season, but maybe it's something they should look at."