Well there is more than one new rule, and we are apparently not talking
about the same one. :) I agree that they should be allowed more than one
qualifying lap. But that's only one rule and ideally it does not affect
their lap time, though obviously in some cases it does. The rules that have
really changed the qualifying order are the various rules that make it
impossible to run in a qualifying trim and then rebuild the car for the
race. Between qualifying and the race start you can't change parts, can't
change trim, can't change tires, can't even refuel. Those rules are a good
thing, IMO, because taken together the intent seems to be, as I said, to
make sure that the qualifying order is the same as the order of their
initial race pace. Now if you can accept that those are good rules then
giving the drivers 12 laps doesn't make a lot of sense, because most of them
aren't going to want to risk that much tire wear just to get a good
qualifying lap. Unless they are at Monaco. :) So I think maybe 2
qualifying laps makes sense, or use the provisional lap times as well as the
final, but that should be enough.