New qualifications do not pass

The new qualifying format was first implemented at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. There are many negative reactions in the paddock.

This system brings confusion, both for the public and for the teams, many of whom have been trapped into being eliminated when they had the potential to obtain a better result. It also creates absurd situations, notably with qualifying ending several minutes before the checkered flag.

“We should apologize to the public because we didn’t put on a show.”, commented Christian Horner, director of Red Bull Racing, at the end of the qualifications where Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat finished eighth and 18th, respectively. “We have to accept it, we tried, it didn’t work. The tension should become stronger and stronger. The important thing is not to turn a blind eye to it. I think the changes will be made for Bahrain (the next GP on April 3). I would prefer to go back to the old system. »

“We should try something else.”, admitted Lewis Hamilton, the pole sitter of the Australian GP. “Why don’t we ask what the public thinks? I'm sure he wants to see us ride more. It is necessary to make mistakes to progress, perhaps this was a step in the wrong direction. I miss the days when we could ride again and again. I think the idea of ​​the single flying lap is interesting, but it's not interesting for the spectators to see us sitting in the garages. »

“We all said it was going to happen and I don’t understand why people are surprised.” asserted Sebastian Vettel the closest to Mercedes at the end of the qualifications. “We were told to wait and see, we waited and saw. It does not work. Traffic management is completely crazy at the start of the session and there are no more cars to watch at the end of the session when the track is better. »

“Those qualifiers weren’t really exciting. It's unfortunate to have to leave the car several minutes from the end », added Kimi Räikkönen, fourth on the Melbourne grid.

“The rules are not very fair to the mid-grid teams. We didn't have enough tires left to play Q2 and we followed the session from the pits.", commented Fernando Alonso who could nevertheless be satisfied with his 12th position on the grid.

“I hate this new format.”, recognised Romain Grosjean, 19th in qualifying, on Canal+. “We thought we could do a second lap but we lost a bit of time changing tires. This format is not at all pleasant, even if we knew the rule well. »