Nico Rosberg does not think the delay in introducing F1's revamped qualifying format reflects well on the sport.
Last week F1 bosses agreed to overhaul the qualifying format for this season, ditching the most recent system in favour of live elimination. The change would see a driver eliminated at 90-second intervals over three session, leaving two drivers on track in the final minute and a half in the battle for pole.
However, the timing software needed to facilitate that change in time for the Australian Grand Prix on March 20 is not yet available and the new format has been pushed back until the fifth race of the year. F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has suggested he was not fully behind the new format, while Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne said on Tuesday the Italian team was unsure whether it could accept it.
Rosberg says the delay looks unprofessional, but has called on F1 to bring in the change as soon as it can.
"It's not very professional, the image that we're giving with that, going back and forth," Rosberg said. "It's not such a major change so it's good that we're thinking about it and I think it's important to bring them in as soon as possible."
Rosberg finally received his 2014 Pole Trophy yesterday, the first year the award existed in Formula One. He was beaten to the trophy by Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton last year and the German driver thinks he needs to re-find his 2014 Saturday form if he wants to win the championship this season.
"Not necessarily [the most important] but for sure I have to do well in qualifying, yes. To beat Lewis I have to do pretty well in everything really, his level is very, very high. He's done a great job so qualifying is going to be important."