Back to the Auto Racing Newsfeed

Bernie admits new format is 'pretty crap'

Bernie Ecclestone has declared F1's newly-adopted live qualifying system "pretty crap" after its debut in Australia.

The headlines after qualifying in Melbourne were dominated by the criticisms of the live elimination rules which were introduced in controversial fashion ahead of the season. Ecclestone and F1 bosses had originally hoped a new system would mix up the grid but that failed to materialise in an hour of limited running.

"I watched it, but I have to say I wasn't enthusiastic about it from day one," the F1 boss told Autosport. "It was pretty crap. But this is what we've got, until we can change it.