The new rules are unpleasant, according to Massa

Felipe Massa believes that the new regulations that came into effect this year have made the final phase of qualifying (Q3) an event without real flair compared to previous seasons.

The last session was reduced to 10 minutes this year, with the aim of limiting fuel waste.

Refueling is no longer allowed between the end of the qualifications and the start of the Grand Prix, which means that drivers must run Q3 with the fuel level with which they will start the race.

Massa, Ferrari driver, explains that this change made the last qualifying session a session without much interest.

The Brazilian believes that the FIA should instead look to introduce a new rule to prevent the cars from running too slowly at the end of the qualifying session. An issue that cost a penalty in Malaysia for McLaren drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen.

« There have been a lot of discussions about the new qualifying format. It would be better, as of today, to have precise regulations on how to prevent cars from slowing down too much to save fuel in Q3. I believe we need to discuss the situation, » stated Massa.

Personally, I don’t find that the new sporting regulations make Q3 more interesting. At least with the old ones, you had a real strategy to develop regarding fuel, whereas now no refueling can be undertaken between the end of the qualifications and the start of the race.

« Q1 and Q2 are so long and then refueling during these two periods and thus having a very heavy car in Q3 is not really enjoyable, even though I did a fabulous qualifying lap in Q3 in Malaysia to get pole position!