Clearly ignoring the mantra of 'if it aint broke, don't fix it', and seemingly unaware of the disaster of 2016 when a revised format was dropped after just a couple of races, F1 bosses are looking to revise the current qualifying format for 2019.

Rather than three sessions which see the slowest five eliminated in Q1, and the slowest five in Q2, leaving ten drivers for the final shoot-out, the revised format would see three sessions in which the slowest four are eliminated each time leaving eight drivers in the final shoot-out.

Naturally, according to race director, Charlie Whiting, the move would be in a bid to generate "excitement".

"It's more something that's come from F1," Whiting admitted. "They've been doing a lot of research among fans, and they feel this is one of the things that the fans would like.

"Slightly shorter sessions, slightly shorter time between them, four go out in Q1, four, four, leaving eight. I personally think it's quite a nice idea, but that's not my decision," he added.

Of course, whether these "fans" are the same "fans" that approved the recent F1 timing app that was dropped after just one race isn't clear, but other "fans" are sure to have their opinion.

Asked how a revised format would affect tyre allocation, Whiting said: "Our next action is to see exactly what would be required. I can't honestly remember what Q4 was in length - I think it was 10 minutes - and thus whether or not you could do two runs with two sets of tyres in Q4. That's something that needs to be looked at carefully."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Editor, 02/10/2018 10:25

"@ Chris Roper

Indeed, Ray Winstone, Danny McBride, the guy out of the Inbetweeners, Brian Blessed, Paddy Power...."

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2. Posted by Chris Roper, 02/10/2018 9:52

"I suppose having 4 seasons in Qualifying allows more opportunities to place bets .....
Now we know who the FANS are."

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3. Posted by Dondarion, 02/10/2018 7:50

"Want more excitement?
Have qualifying be a 20 to 25 lap race with the starting grid the reverse of the current championship standing.
First quali of the season would be the reverse of last season's result; similar to how driver numbers were allocated in the past."

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4. Posted by GrahamG, 02/10/2018 7:29

"More nonsense for the sake of it
Qualifying should be just that and if you want to "make it more exciting" allow unlimited tyres and adjustments, let everyone out and then bring in the slowest 10 after 20 mins, the next 10 slowest after 15 mins and the leave the last 10 to fight it out over 20 mins.
Eliminate grid penalties which do more than anything else to make qualifying less important and you would then have everyone going at maximum - actually much more interesting than the races, so perhaps do away with the race all together"

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5. Posted by PlayF1, 02/10/2018 1:11

"From my own perspective; I like the current qualy format.

I'm not prepared to suggest that it is the ideal, because it might be improved.
By that, I mean, it's an obvious statement 'it might be improved'.

The only problem is the concept of any suggested improvement.

The last debacle appeared to be dead before testing.
All the millions spent on simulation, but not a penny spent on simulating the new qualy ... that being amongst a shed load of noted negs from the teams (in advance).

From that experience, we can learn that the teams understand the battle, far more than the admin bods.
Therefore, if I was such a bod; knowing that the current qualy is pretty gripping ... I'd be going to the teams.
They devote so much brain work on this issue.
They will already know how qualy might be tweaked; particularly teams 4 to 10.
... because, let's be honest, this is all about creating a 'mixed fortune'.
Until there is greater genuine parity; this is about mixing the slower with the faster.
... and there we hit a fundamental concept!

Are we tweaking qualy, to ensure greater excitement, whilst discovering those who can best navigate the circuit?
Or...
Are we looking to throw banana skins (either randomly or purposefully)?

So Hulk doesn't venture forth ... the guys above are anyway dead to qualy, and there's a free choice of tyres to be had.
I get that.
Obviously I get that, because I follow the sport ... and i want to know if that will play out for him in the race (can he do an Alonso?).
All that was played out, due to component limits and a qualy tyre that puts you in 18th position (when you pit after 8 laps).

Hahaha okay, so you have a fragile engine, and your car destroys the hypers.

I just don't see how 'changing qualy' changes that.

From that; my preference would be to increase the components to a level, whereby at very least, there is a chance of completing the season.
and...
Provide points for qualy.

Why not?
There is no fundamental rule that says 'points must only come from the race'.
Putting together a perfect qualy lap is a skill in itself ... and for some circuits (eg Monaco) it is paramount.
... and it would put to bed the thought of 'not trying' in order to get the choice of tyres.
That would be a tweak.

Major changes to the format, seem pointless without offering any obvious advantages.
"

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6. Posted by YuppieScum, 01/10/2018 14:14

"Ten minutes for Q4? So only one qually run at Spa?

I would love to know where they find these "fans" to poll... perhaps the local ADHD clinic?"

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7. Posted by mickl, 01/10/2018 14:02

"oh great. the one thing that is genuinely exciting about a race weekend and they decide to screw around with it. Hope there's more bullets in the chamber as there's a few other limbs to shoot yet."

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8. Posted by Ro, 01/10/2018 14:01

"Media Liberty are just trying to ruin it so that all that is left is Indycars.As it stands, after 2019 they will lose a whole chunk of viewers...if it aint broke dont fix it.
Their ideas just go to show that they dont have a clue"

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9. Posted by Canuck, 01/10/2018 13:07

"What happens if we go to 12 teams? Q5?"

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10. Posted by Elf Team Tyrrell, 01/10/2018 12:29

"Hahahaha w@@kers
"

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11. Posted by TokyoAussie, 01/10/2018 11:36

"Another brilliant “idea” from the same people who brought us the new timing app. Is it really their goal to piss off as many as people as possible with no plausible upside?"

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12. Posted by Daydah, 01/10/2018 10:54

"What needs to change are the grid position penalties which distort qualifying and the race."

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13. Posted by GordonG47, 01/10/2018 10:38

"They never learn, do they?
"

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F1 touts idea of revised qualifying format

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