The new system is based around drivers being eliminated at 90-second intervals, rather than in chunks of seven at the end of each session.
However, changing rules in the middle of the season is always controversial with teams, and is likely to confuse the sport’s viewers even further. The new format could possibly be delayed to 2017. It will be discussed at next week’s World Motor Sport Council.
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The new qualifying won’t happen because we can’t get everything ready in time,” Ecclestone told the Independent. “We can’t get the software done in time. So the qualifying changes will probably be in Spain.”
Formula One will meet again next week for the final pre-season test in Barcelona. While Ferrari topped the timesheets three out of four days in the first test, Mercedes impressed everyone with their unprecedented mileage. The first race is on March 20.