Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsOpinion

Ecclestone is uncertain about qualifying changes

For Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, the jury is still out on whether the recent changes made to Grand Prix racing's qualifying format will lead to better racing.

The 85-year-old initially pushed for a status quo of the three-segment session but wanted to introduce a time penalty scheme into the mix.

In the end, he voted in favour of the change as a means of mixing up the grid, and thus the racing.

"I voted for them because I think we needed to do something," Ecclestone explained to Sky Sports HQ.

"I'm not particularly sure that this will achieve exactly what we wanted to do, but we've got to try it and see.

"What I wanted to do was leave qualifying currently as it is because I think it is probably in some ways more exciting than the race.

"Then whoever won the race before the session, the last race, we'd have to come up with some sort of a format so that the winner would have time added onto their qualifying to mix the grid up.

"I still believe the guy would win the race, but at least he would have a bit of a problem and we might get some good races."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.