29/07/2005
NEWS STORY
Despite Bernie Ecclestone telling Pitpass that Option 2 - a knock out format which sees ten drivers going head to head for thirty minutes, following two fifteen-minute free for alls - will almost certainly get the nod, and therefore be introduced in 2006, several drivers have admitted that they are quite happy with the current one-lap format.
Asked what he thinks of the two formats that the public has been voting on, but which still has to be ratified by the Formula One Commission, Jacques Villeneuve said: "Neither actually.
"I like the one lap qualifying," he continued, "I don't like it with fuel, and I think we should have two goes at it so then you can really push hard. But one lap means you don't have traffic…
"Everybody thinks qualifying used to be fantastic but how many times did you come back to the pits saying 'ah, there was a yellow flag' or ' there was traffic' and it just created… and then for half an hour there were no cars on the track. It wasn't that good. But now what is confusing is you qualify with fuel so you ask 'is it a good lap?', 'is it the strategy?', and you can't really push to the limit because a mistake means you'll start last. So if you just had two goes at one lap without fuel it would be perfect."
Melbourne winner, Giancarlo Fisichella, echoed Villeneuve's thoughts: "It is good to have the one lap qualifying but it would be nice to drive without fuel," said the Italian. "The old format was nice because of the fuel load, it was nice for some reasons but obviously sometimes there were red or yellow flags, a lot of traffic, but there were a few chances to do a good lap. Now it is just one chance, and it is not easy.
"I prefer one lap, for me it is a lot more exciting," added Jenson Button, "and I think only getting one chance is good. For the viewers, when we had four qualifying runs or twelve laps, maybe it is a bit more exciting to watch, but it was so frustrating for the drivers to get a good lap in. One lap qualifying is good and you also get to see everyone's laps which is quite interesting."
As ever, 'Iceman' Kimi Raikkonen kept his response short and to the point: "I think the one lap is good," said the Finn, "but I would also prefer it on low fuel because it is more fun for the drivers.