Schumacher not worried about new qualifying

Michael Schumacher looks on the changes to qualifying as a positive result, as the five-time champion has proven many times that he can set a pole lap on his first trip out. The new regulations give drivers one flying lap apiece on the Friday and Saturday of a race weekend, which is hoped will shake the grid order up a bit.

Schumacher does not expect the changes to disturb him: "I especially find the change to the qualifying format rather positive because I can set a fast lap time straight away," a spokesperson for the German was quoted by Reuters. Schumacher also accepted the other new regulations but was disappointed that the Belgian GP at Spa had been axed: "I find it naturally sad that Spa is no longer on the calendar because the track is associated with many fond memories," he said.

Renault's Jarno Trulli was in agreement about the loss of Spa: "It's a real shame to have lost it because it was one of the most beautiful circuits," he told the Italian press.

Fellow Italian and former Benetton (now Renault) driver Giancarlo Fisichella thinks the additional points places are a good idea: "If, as happened this year, the three leading teams don't have any problems then we must fight for seventh place and it's right that whoever finishes there should be rewarded."

Trulli concurred, saying the revised points system will be better: "It's also right to reduce the gap between first and second. Four points was too much."