Qualifying the priority for Max Mosley

Max Mosley is looking to make qualifying more spectator-friendly despite calls from some Formula 1 figures for the FIA boss to tackle the sport's lack of overtaking. Mosley was the man behind the introduction of grooved tyres to F1 back in 1998 in an effort to reduce cornering speeds. But grooved tyres had also had the unwanted side effect of making overtaking even more difficult because of the reduced mechanical grip.

There have been repeated calls for Mosley to address the overtaking issue but the former lawyer has more pressing concerns this winter. Speaking earlier in the week he said: "I do not hold the opinion that there are too few overtaking manoeuvres. I would rather look into the qualifying situation. We must make it more attractive for the top teams and drivers to take part in the whole hour-long session, and not just the last twenty minutes."

This season has sometimes seen qualifying sessions run for 25 minutes before cars have ventured out on to the track. Mosley sees this as unacceptable and wants to see the action spread throughout the session. However some believe his refusal to take action on overtaking is a mistake.

Jaguar boss Niki Lauda, for one, believes that the lack of overtaking in Formula 1 is a problem. He said: "Look at motorcycle racing. You see more action in a bike race than you do watching a Grand Prix. It is completely different. A mix of the two would be the ideal combination.

"But that means you would have to have al the cars a even speeds or closer together and that's definitely something that won't happen. But I accept more overtaking would be preferable."