New Formula One qualifying rules

FORMULA ONE'S NEW QUALIFYING RULES:

* Qualifying session is split into into three parts

* First period of 16 minutes is followed by further sessions of 15 minutes and 14 minutes

* In qualifying one, after seven minutes, the slowest driver is eliminated every 90 seconds until seven drivers are knocked out

* In qualifying two, after six minutes, the slowest driver is eliminated every 90 seconds until seven are knocked out

* In qualifying three, after five minutes, the slowest driver is eliminated every 90 seconds with the aim of having two drivers on track to contest pole position in the final 90 seconds

* But in Melbourne, no drivers were on track in the final three minutes as teams opted to save tyres after Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton set a new lap record to take pole position