Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsOpinion

Webber shocked by qualifying status quo

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Former Red Bull driver and nine-time Grand Prix winner Mark Webber is dumbfounded over F1's decision to preserve its new qualifying format for Bahrain.

Given the new scheme's anti-climax unfolding in Melbourne, which saw most drivers remain on the sidelines in Q3, as well as the teams' unilateral negative stance on the matter, the Aussie was under the impression, like most people, that qualifying would revert to the old system this weekend.

"I thought we were leaving Melbourne in good shape with a decision to go back to a system which was working pretty well," Webber said in a Daily Mail interview.

"But that’s not the case and we are back to the Melbourne scenario which even at its best it will struggle to equal what we had."

"When we switch a TV on it should be this is qualifying, who has the fastest lap time in the tank in terms of the driver pushing absolute commitment and do a phenomenal lap?

"And if you do can, you go a tenth quicker. I want to go back out and respond."And that was the problem in Melbourne, people couldn't respond as there wasn't enough tyres or enough time.

"Now we've gone way too far and drivers are pigeon holed and restricted into operational running times they don’t always want."

Webber, who is a consultant for Channel 4 this year, also believes there is way too much focus on those who lose out in qualifying - the slower drivers, rather than on the fastest runners who deserve more attention.

"For me the beef I've got is we are still focusing on the driver that’s on the bubble or the driver that’s slow trying to get into that session.

"Now with all due respect we are focusing on Nico Hulkenberg, Sergio Perez or young Esteban Gutierrez, now that’s fine.

"But we've also got to be focusing on the laps the big boys are doing to form the first few rows of the grid."

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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.