Strategy Group proposes new qualifying format that could be in place by Melbourne.

Formula One's Strategy Group, which has come in for more than its fair share of criticism since its inception, it sure to find itself under scrutiny yet again if its proposal for a new qualifying format were to be accepted.

As the sport's powers-that-be search for ever more desperate ideas to attract fans - rather than asking them or even doing some serious research into what attracted them in the first place - the proposed new qualifying format looks sure not only to confuse but risk losing fans already sick to death of the gimmicks being constantly introduced that merely make the sport artificial.

It's understood that the new format, like the present format, would be split into three sections. However, in each of the sections after so many minutes the slowest runner would be eliminated. Then, another ninety seconds later, the next slowest runner would be eliminated.

The first session would see 7 of the 22 drivers eliminated, with the remaining 15 going through to Q2.

Q2 would essentially be run to the same format, another 7 drivers eliminated, one every ninety seconds, and the remaining 8 going through to Q3.

Again, Q3 would see the slowest driver eliminated each ninety seconds until only 2 drivers remain - these two would then fight it out for pole on the same basis, the slower of the two having to settle for second place on the grid.

Thankfully the idea has still to be approved by the World Motor Sport Council which meets next month.

If introduced, there is every possibility that the sport will continue to shed viewers, both hard core and casual, until only two of them remain.

LATEST NEWS

more news >

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

Click to go to the main galleries section

READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Canuck, 24/02/2016 17:18

"Question? With only 8 remaining for a few min in Q3, how will this affect the tire rule of using your tire from Q2 if you are in the top 10? Will it now be the top 8 or maybe 7 or maybe only the last 2? Will there be an increase in the tire allocation i.e X number of tires to be used only for qualifying therefore no tire advantage to the slowest or fastest times? Or you must do all Q1 with 1 set, all Q2 with another set and also one set for Q3? If you do not make Q2 you return 2 sets --etc?

How will this affect the Pole winner for the yearly honors?

This will make it so confusing for the true fan that I think F1 has lost it way. The Strategy group as gone stagnantcy, can't come up with a simple idea for the fans, all must be super complex. "

Rating: Negative (-1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by Spindoctor, 24/02/2016 12:23

"This just about sums up everything that's wrong with F1 at present!
Take one of the few parts that's simple and actually works, and fool around with it for no reason other than because they can. Madness.

As most other posters have said, fixing F1 will take a tad more than making qualifying a bit weirder. This appears retrogressive to me, as instead of emphasising outright pace, it will introduce elements of 'tyre saving', nonsensical obtuse "tactics' and the opportunity for 'team orders' both to promote specific drivers, and block opponents.
In fact it'll make qualifying just like the 'races' are at present.

So back to the (Rule)drawing-board F1 supremos. Take a hint from the fans: less aero, more power & more grip. You know it makes sense, quite unlike anything emanating from Bernie\CVC or FIA for the last few years...."

Rating: Negative (-1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

3. Posted by Chris Roper, 24/02/2016 12:12

"Once they have this in place they can then introduce "Fan Boost" to keep a favorite from elimination.
Imagine all that extra revenue generated from SMS.
"

Rating: Negative (-1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

4. Posted by TokyoAussie, 24/02/2016 11:56

"Is it April 1st already?
Too silly for words. "

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

5. Posted by -ape-, 24/02/2016 11:27

"you are right Canuck, "

Rating: Negative (-1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

6. Posted by -ape-, 24/02/2016 11:22

"
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Nothing wrong with quali now.

"

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

7. Posted by Tweek, 24/02/2016 3:36

"..... And what happens the first time someone impedes progress of a fellow competitor during an all important qualifying run? (God forbid it's done under team orders) This is a bad idea!"

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

8. Posted by Vinicius, 24/02/2016 0:37

"I liked. Qualifyings were boring with the last format and I don't even watched them anymore. Now I have some reason to watch them. At long tracks, or with rain, will be awesome. Even the grand finale will be very good because we now can focus on the onboard laps for the fastest guys/cars, thing that was impossible before (just watching they passing the finish line and the tower with times is stupid). And the race can be more unpredictable, despite knowing that in a few laps the best cars can manage to get the front of the pack. Well done."

Rating: Negative (-3) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

9. Posted by gturner38, 24/02/2016 0:12

"I can see what they are trying to do. With the current system, Q1 sees a lot of cars go out and put in a banker lap, then waiting until late in the session with no drama in the middle. This will for ce cars to go out on track and push hard. It's similar to the elimination race in track cycling, although one fast lap early will still be enough to go through to the next round.

Having said that, I don't really see this as working because it will require too much explanation. If they really feel the need to mess with qualifying (and I don't necessarily think they should), I would make Q3 single car qualifying with the running order based on Q2 results. The one problem with the current system is that we normally don't get to see 90% of the pole lap because we are looking at a camera focused on the finish line or jumping to in car cameras as cars approach the final turn with everyone pushing for a good lap at the same time."

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

10. Posted by White Lightning, 23/02/2016 23:58

"Barmy."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

11. Posted by Canuck, 23/02/2016 23:34

"Just what all racing fans want to see - less cars on the track. And of course this will greatly increase the show on the Sunday for all the fans to enjoy. What will be the next bright idea? Lottery Pit stops? Number 23 into the pit - number 23 into the pits with only 2 men over the wall.

How can this brilliant group of people (Puppets) be called "Strategy Group". The whole group should be given a Dunce Cap to wear this year when attending races so the fans know who to plaster with rotten tomatoes.

Fix what is wrong with the rules, don't increase the number of stupid ones. Decrease the amount of wake behind a car so that passing can be improved, increase the mechanical grip, lessen the adjustments a driver can make, reduce the elements on the front wings and reduce the Dunce cap group
"

Rating: Positive (2) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

12. Posted by vins0n, 23/02/2016 23:33

""We have a problem. A drying track gives us unpredictable results. What can we do to normalise it?""

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

13. Posted by oldestmike, 23/02/2016 23:03

"For cryin' out loud. This isn't NASCAR and it doesn't need diddling with. The current qualifying system works just fine. Leave it alone. If they don't they'll lose even more spectators.

Take some of the aero off these cars to make them more difficult to drive. "

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

14. Posted by itc, 23/02/2016 22:37

"Should be fun at a wet Spa in a 15 minute session with 2 minute lap times. People will get run over in the rush to be the first to exit the pit lane....... "

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

15. Posted by Samouri, 23/02/2016 22:11

"Why in world would these fools want to tamper with qualifying, which isn't a problem, and seems that fans world-wide I believe simply enjoy.

Deal with the aero problem, which inhibits a following car to challenge, in order to pass for position, of a car with equal capabilities."

Rating: Positive (2) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

Qualifying format facing radical overhaul

LATEST NEWS

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

POST A COMMENT

Post your comment

READERS COMMENTS

Share this page