F1 qualifying tweak in works for Barcelona

(GMM) Friday is for practice at a grand prix, but much of the action occurs off the track.

The buzz around the castle-like motor homes at the Nurburgring in Germany is about the otherwise-liked 'knockout' qualifying system, which could be tweaked as soon as next Saturday's session in Spain.

With David Coulthard and Michael Schumacher already voicing their discontent about the final top-ten section, during which cars do little more than burn fuel ahead of a late burst, fellow Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) director Jarno Trulli says he too would like to make it a light-tank run.

The GPDA will meet with team managers, and possibly also team principals, at Barcelona, but any change would need unanimity along pitlane.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, however, explained that it is the only obstacle to what could be a quick fix.

The 75-year-old favors a return to the one-lap format for the last 20-minute dash for pole position.

Ecclestone told La Gazzetta dello Sport: ''If all the teams agree, it can be done from the next GP already.''