Formula One news

Irvine slams new qualifying format

Irvine plus one

Former F1 winner Eddie Irvine dislikes the 'back to back' qualifying format. In fact, the Ulsterman believes 'everyone' hates the new Saturday system. 'It's boring,' the 1999 title runner-up wrote in his column in The Sun. But, even still, the FIA has vowed to stick with it for the next Imola race. 

Irvine added: 'They've missed the point big-time. People want to see the cars ... in a frantic dash for pole with some drivers caught in traffic.' 

The controversial format was introduced so all cars, even back of the grid minnows like Minardi and Sauber, get equal television time for sponsors. 

But Irvine asks 'what's the point' if no one is watching ... ? Jaguar's driver of 2002 said the old 60 minute system was 'fascinating. 

'This just leaves me bemused,' Irvine added. 'Drivers are scared of spinning and we don't know their real speed because they're all on different fuel loads.'

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