His comments follow the FIA modifying the shootout regulations especially for the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix.
In the Friday night drivers’ briefing, Autosport understands that the grid voted unanimously to scrap the usual maximum lap time procedure.
Normally, an upper time limit is imposed for an in- and out-lap in qualifying that drivers must respect or else be considered to have gone “unnecessarily slowly”.
But amid the feeling that, on this occasion, having to keep within this restriction would harm tyre preparation while believing there was space at the track to avoid traffic issues, the drivers pushed for this clause to be dropped.
However, at the end of Q1, there was still a scrap for track position - with Max Verstappen notably cleared of impeding Williams rookie Logan Sargeant on the grounds that there was nowhere for the Red Bull driver to go amid the congestion.
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso said this shows the whole three-stage qualifying format is no longer fit for purpose, it having first been introduced for 2006.
Claiming drivers will continue to make life difficult for the FIA by pushing the rules regardless, the two-time world champion reckoned: “It is difficult to handle, I think.
Source: Autosport