07/07/2005
NEWS STORY
One of the more interesting - yet hardly unexpected - results from the recent FIA survey, is that fans want a change to the qualifying system.
According to the results, a "massive" 70% would prefer qualifying to be decided by the best time from a specified number of flying laps.
The qualifying format was changed a couple of years back in favour of a new format which saw drivers complete a single flying lap to decide the running order for the main qualifying session, which again consisted of a single flying lap.
In 2005 this was changed to a two-day format, with the grid being decided on Sunday morning - with drivers (again) completing a single flying lap - just hours ahead of the race.
Following complaints from fans, broadcasters, drivers, team bosses and sponsors, this format was dropped in favour of a one-hour session, which again sees drivers complete one single flying lap.
Now that the fans have shown their unhappiness at the current single lap format it is hoped that the FIA will sit up and listen. However, talking to Pitpass, an FIA spokesman said that if a new multi-lap format were to be adopted in time for next season, teams would have to start preparing in the very near future.
Let's hope they're listening.