Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

Image source, Getty Images

“In the context of the rule changes proposed/agreed for this year and next, there has been an interesting intervention from the Volkswagen Group on the subject of F1.

"VW was one of the manufacturers who came up with the current F1 engine rules, and it was in talks with Red Bull last year, but that has gone cold, and VW motorsport boss Wolfgang Durheimer told Autocrat magazine: 'Formula 1 is not on our agenda right now. The situation is not predictable enough to make the kind of investment required. On the regulations front, there are a lot of rumours around the engine side and the supporting technology side.

"'Before you commit the kind of money needed you must see five years of rules stability - there can't be the possibility of rules changes, of more or less engine cylinders coming in, or the hybrid system changing away from technology you are developing on road cars.

"'On the ownership side, there are also big questions the sport must answer. If you are a big business making a big investment you expect to have some influence on the set-up, with an assurance the present ownership will last. In F1, it seems the owners will not be there forever and that creates some instability.’”

The more I see of these purple ultra-soft tyres, the more I think they are in fact hot pink.

Bret Hart anyone?

Maybe these tyres are the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be?

Image source, .

Jack Semmence: To be fair the new system looks like it could be interesting - but 'fixing' qualifying should not be the priority!!  

Thomas Goodall: Didn't see much wrong with qualifying and now this new system seems very confusing and likely to cause issues 

John Stewart: I quite like the idea of qualifying, there will be some epic last minute one on one shootouts.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

"F1 bosses have been working for a year on making the car faster and more dramatic-looking for 2017, in a bid to arrest what is perceived to be waning interest in the sport.

"But agreeing the detail of the rules has proved problematic.

"However, bodywork dimensions have been agreed after months of discussions over the degree to which the cars should be speeded up.

-   cars will be made 2000mm wide, up from the current 1800mm

-   the bodywork will be increased to 1600mm with from 1400mm

-   more aerodynamic downforce will be produced by a redesigned floor

-   tyres will be wider: up from 245mm to 305mm at the front; and from 325mm to 405mm at the rear."

Kimi Raikkonen was given the morning off.

Ferrari say it's because they were sorting a fuel supply issue, but it's probably because Kimi is so awesome he works when he wants.

And he's up to second on the timings board, clocking a 1:25.977 from his miserly 18 laps. 

Dan Knutson
F1 journalist in Barcelona

Image source, Getty Images

"After nearly three months out of the Mercedes cockpit, how is Nico Rosberg feeling physically after 172 laps in the car yesterday and another 74 today?

“'I’m okay,' he said. 'I knew that it was going to happen, so I prepared for it in the winter very effectively. So I am quite happy. Of course there are some bits and pieces that hurt, from the seat especially, but other than that it is not a problem.'”

It all got a bit serious there for a moment. Time for more #ThingsAlmostAsAwesomeAsKimi...

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, gett

All those times were set on the mediums, except for Magnussen and Nasr, who whipped round on the soft compound.

Here's a quick glimpse of the test times sofar today

Hulkenberg 1:25.286 (41 laps)

Magnussen 1:26.014 (66)

Rosberg 1:26.084 (74)

Sainz 1:26.239 (69)

Nasr 1:26.392 (76)

Kvyat 1:26.497 (48)

Raikkonen 1:26.695 (14)

Massa 1:26.712 (79)

Button 1:26.919 (51)

Grosjean 1:26.955 (54)

Hamilton 1:27.131 (21)

Haryanto 1:29.808 (29)

Red Roger: Why not have the top 2 race it out over 1 lap after all the others are eliminated. Like the sprint events in the velodrome  

Leonardo: Again adding chaos instead of solutions. Eliminations may be interesting, still stupid to have a fixed time regardless lap length

Neil Hughes: New quali rules asking for trouble? Fast enough driver takes out one still trying to avoid the drop…stop the clock while teams argue?

Image source, Getty Images

Kimi Raikkonen is back on the track and sets his first time - it's 1:26.695, which puts him in P9.

But his time on the circuit has been limited as Ferrari spent mos of the morning checking a fuel supply issue.

Are we tiring of this yet?

You're still keeping #ThingsAlmostAsAwesomeAsKimi coming thick and fast.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

The idea to change the format of qualifying came from the FIA in an attempt to increase unpredictability at a time when it is felt the teams are so effective at elimination variables that race weekends can become too formulaic. 

It was approved in principle, with the intention of introducing it this year, but the teams have gone away to analyse the potential effects.

It is intended a definitive decision will be made within the next week or so.

The plans are to continue with a three-part qualifying session but to adapt it as follows:         

Q1 will last for 16 minutes. The slowest driver is eliminated after seven minutes, and then every one minute and 30 seconds until seven drivers have been eliminated

In a 15-minute Q2, the slowest driver will be eliminated after six minutes and then every 90 seconds until the end of the session, leaving eight drivers to progress to final qualifying.

In Q3, which is 14 minutes long, the slowest driver will be eliminated after five minutes, and then every 90 seconds, until there are two drivers left for a final 90-second shoot-out for pole position.

Image source, Getty Images

So Lewis Hamilton has been in and out of the pits but is seven laps to the good.

He's registered a 1:29.837 on the mediums, but the time is irrelevant really.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

Cockpit head protection will be introduced into Formula 1 in 2017, the sport’s bosses have agreed.

A meeting of the rule-making F1 Commission approved plans to adopt a structure to protect drivers from debris, sources at governing body the FIA said.

A new elimination-style qualifying format could also be introduced this year. Its effect is being evaluated over the next week or so before adoption is confirmed.

A deadline for rules to make faster cars in 2017 has been delayed until 30 April.

All the changes still need to be rubber-stamped by the final step of the legislative process, the FIA World Council.

Mercedes are going to let MC Hammer drive an F1 car?! That's bonkers.

Oh wait. It's Lewis Hamilton, which is still pretty cool.

The possibility of rain has dropped slightly...

Might be tricky to continue punditry though David if you stay clear of things beyond your control...

It's fair to say you're in a tizz about the qualifying changes. Although it's not 100% negative.

Greg Kingston: New qualifying knockout with elimination every 90 seconds will be v interesting for circuits with lap times greater than 90 seconds   

Garry Parker: Just think how great Spa will be with the new #F1 quali rules and 90 second eliminations...

Daniel Garty: I like the sound of the new quali proposal, means all drivers will have to go all out from the start, not leave it till last 3 mins

Jack Srmmence: Did any @Formula1 survey fans request changes to qualifying? It's the only part that works, they'd be idiots to change it

Darn it! That was the whole reason I did it and I forgot!