Formula 1 is set to introduce a new qualifying system for the 2016 season which will see the slowest cars eliminated after 90 seconds, but Bernie Ecclestone says it's likely to be delayed as the new timing system won't be ready for the start of the season.
Timing is the responsibility of Formula One Management (FOM), rather than the FIA, and although the new system has been in the pipeline for some time, Ecclestone admitted the timing software wouldn't be ready for the opening round of the season in Australia.
"The new qualifying won't happen because we can't get everything together in time," he told The Independent.
"It was going to come in at the start of this year but we are not going to be able to get all the software done in time."
The 85-year-old is still keen for it to happen this year, and instead of delaying it until 2017, believes it can be introduced part-way through the season at the first European event.
"So the qualifying changes will probably be in Spain," he added. "In Australia, it will be the old qualifying. All of the software has to be written so it's not easy."
Ecclestone admitted the system announced this week isn't exactly what he wanted to be introduced. Instead he wanted time ballast to slow the faster drivers to create an unpredictable grid.
"It's not what I wanted in the end. All I'm trying to do is muddle up the grid so that the guy that is quickest in qualifying doesn't sit on pole and disappear because why should he be slow in the race if he is quick in qualifying?”
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