Ecclestone labels F1 Sprint Qualifying format 'complete nonsense'

Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has predictably shot down F1's Sprint Qualifying format that will be trialed this season, insisting the idea "complete nonsense".

F1 is set to experiment at three venues this year with a new qualifying format that will see drivers compete in a Saturday afternoon 100-kilometer race that will determine the grid for race day.

The concept will be rolled out for the very first time at the British GP at Silverstone in July, with Monza and Interlagos also expected to trial the idea which, if successful, could become more widespread in 2022.

But Ecclestone says the sport's current management is taking the wrong approach to the concept.

"The way they have decided it now is complete nonsense," the 90-year-old reportedly told Germany's Sport Bild.

"If the winner of the sprint race also gets points and is also on the first grid position, at the end of the season that does not give a true reflection of who is really the best driver."

• Read also: Teams' financial compensations for Sprint Qualifying revealed

Ecclestone, who once suggested that drivers should line up on Sunday's grid in the reverse over of qualifying, still believes that the idea of inversing positions holds merit.

"My original idea was to give the winner of a sprint race maybe ten points, but let him start the race from tenth place," explained Mr. E.

"If he had then moved up to third place in the race, for example, his real ability would have been better seen."

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