Schumacher backs status quo

JAPANESE GP RESULT 1 M Schumacher (Ferrari) 2 R Schumacher (Williams) 3 J Button (BAR) 4 T Sato (BAR) 5 F Alonso (Renault) 6 K Raikkonen (McLaren) 7 JP Montoya (Williams) 8 G Fisichella (Sauber) Race report Race as it happened Photos from Suzuka

Michael Schumacher has said it would be a mistake to permanently adopt race-morning qualifying in Formula One.

Schumacher won from pole position in Japan on Sunday after a typhoon forced qualifying to be postponed from Saturday to the morning of the race.

"I have to say it was exciting but I prefer the old style," said Schumacher.

A switch of qualifying to Sunday morning was one of several suggestions for improving the current much-criticised one-lap qualifying system.

But Schumacher added: I think this day goes down in history in Formula One and I'm pretty sure some people will think we should continue to do it that way.

"It is strange if you think you go straight out on Sunday morning and have to do a qualifying lap without any preparation.

Grandstand discussion area: Should qualifying be on Sunday?

"We have a whole weekend of time so there is no reason to rush through - and just have everything on one day, as some people wish to.

"That is my point of view. It puts more stress on the mechanics and the preparation."

Schumacher's brother Ralf, who finished second in the race, also said he preferred qualifying the day before the race.

"I think it was not a problem but somehow I think having it on Saturday is a bit better for various reasons," he added.