Irritated Alonso lashes out at F1: 'It used to be the best, now it's the worst'

Fernando Alonso has hit out at the latest change to Formula 1's qualifying format, branding it "obsolete" for adding more complexity.

The latest rule to be introduced this weekend prevented drivers from overtaking in the pit lane, after Max Verstappen was seen overtaking several cars during practice so he could start a lap in front.

In the past it has been common for drivers to file at the pit exit to create a gap from the rest of the field, so they do not fall foul of the maximum lap time. However, this has created other issues where drivers are now being impeded before they enter the track.

Alonso believes the latest change exposes problems with the current format, which was introduced in 2006.

"It proves that the qualifying format is obsolete. We cannot have these things and this stress," Alonso told media, including RacingNews365.

"[Qualifying] used to be the best session of the weekend where the cars come alive, you drive these very fast cars. Now it's the worst session of the weekend.

"For the teams, for drivers, for traffic management, for track limits, going to the stewards, not respecting the delta, impeding people, deleting the laps.

"We are all happy that is over and it shouldn't be like that."

Alonso: We're taking more risks

Alonso believes drivers are having to take more risks due to how closely matched each team is, which adds to the stress of a qualifying session.

“You’re risking more unfortunately, because there is no way that you can be a bit calmer in one corner and lose one tenth. You cannot afford that any more because you are out of the session," said Alonso.

“It’s very stressful for everyone. Also the track limits is a very painful matter that we go through every every lap. But it’s the same for everybody so we will try to execute it better.”