Big names back overhaul

Lauda is pleased that the team orders have gone

Some of the biggest names in Formula One have reacted positively to changes to the sport that were announced on Monday.

The overhaul, which includes one-lap qualifying, points down to eighth place and banning team orders, were prompted by this season's processional championship.

F1 rejects radical change

Michael Schumacher's dominant display had led to calls for radical changes such as the introduction of weight penalties.

But F1 bosses decided other solutions were more in keeping with the spirit of the sport.

The adopted measures are sensible, but we'll have to see how they work in practice

BMW boss
Gerhard Berger

"The team orders are gone which is the most important thing," said Jaguar boss Niki Lauda.

But the former world champion was not so certain about proposals to offer more practice time at race circuits in exchange for a voluntary reduction in testing.

"I don't know. We'll have to evaluate it," Lauda said. "The concept is certainly something interesting to think about."

BMW's sports director Gerhard Berger was relieved that the more controversial proposals had not been adopted.

Berger calls for change

"I'm happy that drivers swapping cars and a weight handicap aren't going to happen," said the Austrian.

"The adopted measures are sensible, but we'll have to see how they work in practice.

"For instance the weather and state of the track are going to play a huge role in qualifying.

"But the new distribution of points makes sense, it will increase the number of teams who can score points."

Mercedes backing

McLaren's engine supplier Mercedes were also also enthusiastic.

"The one-lap qualification promises a great deal of drama," said Mercedes' sports director Norbert Haug.

"We salute the changes."

Ex-F1 driver Mark Blundell, however, questioned whether the changes would improve the sport as a spectacle.

His main apprehension centred on the one-lap qualifying ruling.

"I'm not sure this is the way to go for Formula One," he said.

"It takes away the technique of having to pick your chances in traffic and it will be a real bum deal for a driver if the weather changes during the session."