The FIA confirmed unanimous approval from the F1 commission to introduce the much discussed new qualifying system from the Australian Grand Prix on Friday. Within the announcement the FIA have used precautionary wording around the introduction stating:
‘The World Motor Sport Council approved the new qualification format, the principles of which were unanimously accepted by the F1 Commission. The new system should be introduced for the first round of the 2016 FIA Formula One World Championship’
The full details of the new system are detailed below with a link to the FIA confirmation.
In order for the new qualifying format to be introduced several hurdles are yet to be overcome, including development and simulation of modified software required to support both practical implementation and broadcasting of the process. Formula One management have highlighted this possible issue, but appear confident a solution will be found in time for the first qualifying session of the year.
Teams and drivers face a number of hurdles in the coming weeks in determining how best to approach the session and how to adapt their strategy including tyre selection for the race weekend. Many have expressed displeasure that it has not been possible to achieve clarity in such a regulation so close to the beginning of the season
It should be remembered however, that the purpose of the change in qualifying process is an attempt to not only improve race weekend coverage for mid field teams but also introduce an element of jeopardy to a race weekend.
FIA ANNOUNCEMENT:
FIA Formula One World Championship
Qualifying
The World Motor Sport Council approved the new qualification format, the principles of which were unanimously accepted by the F1 Commission. The new system should be introduced for the first round of the 2016 FIA Formula One World Championship.
The new elimination-style format:
– Q1
- 16 minutes
- After 7 minutes, slowest driver eliminated
- Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag
- 7 drivers eliminated, 15 progress to Q2
– Q2
- 15 minutes
- After 6 minutes, slowest driver eliminated
- Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag
- 7 drivers eliminated, 8 progress to Q3
– Q3
- 14 minutes
- After 5 minutes, slowest driver eliminated
- Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag
- 2 drivers left in final 1 minute 30 seconds
The final elimination in each session occurs at the chequered flag – not when time is up.
The wording of the Sporting Regulations relating to this new qualifying format will be submitted to the F1 Strategy Group and F1 Commission.
Wilde Consulting 