Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsRed Bull Racing

Horner apologetic for qualifying farce, suggests immediate change

After Formula 1's new qualifying format spectacularly failed its first test in Melbourne, Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes the system should be scrapped and revert back to its original form in time for the next race in Bahrain.

Horner insisted on apologising to spectators and fans, admitting the scheme had been a mistake from the start.

"Firstly we should apologise to the fans and viewers because that's not what qualifying should be," Horner told Sky Sports.

"It should crescendo into something and not have the fast cars sitting in the garage. The intentions were well meaning but we have to accept that it hasn't worked, we got it wrong, and we need to address it very quickly.

"My personal view is that we should switch back to what we had in time for the next race."

The initial Q1 and Q2 segments offered some indecision, but that went downhill once Q3 got underway. Horner was specifically critical of the limited or no running strategy chosen by the teams.

"I didn't like the fact that the fast cars didn't have a right to reply. You got Ferrari sitting in a garage because there was no point in running again.

"Qualifying should build up to a crescendo and everybody should bolt on their last set of tyres on in the last couple of minutes, and you see what you got.

"That didn't happen today and it hasn't achieved its objective. The objective was to mix up the grid, but it has taken away the whole spectacle of what qualifying is."

Asked if he could hazard a guess on what Bernie Ecclestone - who did not travel to Australia - perhaps thought of the new format, Horner doubted F1's supremo had been impressed.

"I'm sure he wasn't happy with what he saw. Formula 1 just needs to act collectively, admit we didn't get it right and address in time for the next Grand Prix.

"There are twenty races left, so deal with it quickly rather than let it drag on."

As it happened: Qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix

F1i's Australian Grand Prix preview

2016 F1 season: Team-by-team preview

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.