Amid a thrilling Mercedes versus Ferrari battle for victory in Melbourne, the spectre of ever-changing rules continued to hang over Formula 1.
Over the few days of the opening race weekend of 2016, no fewer than three rules were changed.
Mika Hakkinen, a former double world champion, thinks that the situation is damaging F1.
"Fans are always telling me that they watch less races than ever and don't follow F1 as closely," he told Tagesspiegel.
"They say it is far too complicated, too technical. People like simple things."
Even for the experts on the ground, Melbourne 2016 was hard to follow.
'Musical chairs' qualifying took place on Saturday and was completely scrapped less than 24 hours later, but world champion Lewis Hamilton thinks that the decision to revert to the 2015 format has been taken too hastily.
"We shouldn't be afraid to take another gamble just because we got this one wrong," he said.
The rules changed in other areas in Melbourne, too. A ban on drivers discarding helmet tear-offs was promptly delayed at the behest of the teams, while a fresh list of communications allowed over the radio was drawn up.
"It's good that we are at least allowed to discuss strategy," said Christian Horner, "because Formula 1 is a team sport and the tactical element is very interesting and important."
However, the final words may not yet have been spoken, particularly on the qualifying format, as Speed Week pointed out that Ferrari still has its veto, while the latest changes must be rubber-stamped by the F1 Commission and World Motor Sport Council.
