New(ish) qualifying format for next year

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Originally Posted by itv

Formula 1 bosses have agreed big changes to the grand prix weekend, with Friday qualifying and testing scrapped.

Qualifying will now be limited to a single, extended session on Saturday, following a meeting of the Formula 1 Commission on Friday.

The early-morning testing sessions brought in last year have also been axed, although the bottom six teams will be permitted to run an extra car in Friday practice instead.

However, the changes have been met with disappointment by Minardi boss Paul Stoddart.

He said: "From the smaller team's point of view, there's nothing in it for us."

The new format must still be ratified by the FIA's world council later this month before coming in to effect.

Under the plan, there would be two practice sessions on Friday with a further two 45-minute run-outs on Saturday morning.

Saturday's qualifying would last 90 minutes with the cars each getting two runs. They would first of all run in championship order and then immediately after in an order decided by the first times.

The net effect is the same as if the current two sessions were run back-to-back. With the last cars out first time around likely to be the first out on the second occasion, that could see the likes of the Minardis running twice in a matter of minutes while the best cars could have almost an hour and half to perfect their set-up in between runs.

The Sunday timetable is due to remain unchanged.

All teams will also be subjected to the same qualifying restrictions next season, with an upper limit of 48 days' running through the year.

Oof. OK, no Friday qualifying is probably good as, no matter how little it means, I won't have to think of ways to watch it on a weekday. But I am not sure I'll be able to stand 90 minutes of that bore!!! Sure we have had a couple of really good qualifying sessions this year, but even then it wasn't about the best driver/machine combination as it used to be. Sigh

[Michael Schumacher]

Why dont they just put it back to the way it used to be .

[crayzayjay]

that could see the likes of the Minardis running twice in a matter of minutes while the best cars could have almost an hour and half to perfect their set-up in between runs

Poor little fellas.. never goes their way

[Guido]

When you're on the loosing side, it hardly ever comes your way. That being said, I see it as a big opportunity missed once again. The DTM format, with a super pole shoot out of the best 10 qualifiers to determine the pole is, as far as I'm concerned the best guarantee for spectacle.

[crayzayjay]

That doesnt sound too bad but again, those out of the top ten, i.e. the minnows are disadvantaged cos they only get one shot.

[Guido]

Originally Posted by crayzayjay

That doesnt sound too bad but again, those out of the top ten, i.e. the minnows are disadvantaged cos they only get one shot.

Regardless, you're so called minnows will never make it into the top ten, so it doesn't add any excitment to the show, and that what this new rule is all about. How to improve the show.

[crayzayjay]

Oh that’s right, let’s kep changing the rules and widening the gap between the top teams and the small teams. With the small teams already in difficulty, let’s just put them in a position where it’s not worth being in F1 full stop. That’ll improve the show, a grand total of 10 cars driving around a track. Ish no think so!!

[Guido]

What you say is maynbe true from an emotional point of view in favour fo the so called lesser ones. We could turn it around and give 'em a five times trial instead of 1 for the big guns. Do you think they'll make it into the top-10? I don't think so, so it doesn't change anything. Besides it works in DTM since the series got revamped. And you know what? It works. The lesser teams using older CLK's are still taking part.

This sort of quali has nothing to do with widening the gap between bigger and smaller teams, and you know that.

[Sexy beast]

I think they should implement a whole new points scoring system according to the size of the team's budget. For example, if Ferrari wins they get 10 points, and if Arrows at least finish the race they get 10 points too. If Sauber comes in 8th, they get 10 points but if they win they get 20 points. That would be awesome!

[crayzayjay]

Originally Posted by huudo

What you say is maynbe true from an emotional point of view in favour fo the so called lesser ones. We could turn it around and give 'em a five times trial instead of 1 for the big guns. Do you think they'll make it into the top-10? I don't think so, so it doesn't change anything. Besides it works in DTM since the series got revamped. And you know what? It works. The lesser teams using older CLK's are still taking part.

This sort of quali has nothing to do with widening the gap between bigger and smaller teams, and you know that.

It's not designed to, sure, but it'll lead to it nonetheless. Imo, so what if the bottom teams will rarely get into the top ten with a second shot in quali, theyre still racing their opponents too and deserve the same opportunities as the top teams.

Also, i dont think you can compare the top and bottom teams in F1 with those intouring cars as the gap is much bigger in F1.

[Guido]

euhm, When was it you last saw DTM? I'm not talking touringcars here, but DTM. The last are being lapped also half way through the race. So the gap is as big.

and I don't see how it will lead to what you are saying. Now everyone get's 1 go. With the system I'm talking about, it's not to have a second trial, they just go flat out a second time to try and claim pole. Apart from the extra 3 laps and the extra fuel comsomption + tyre wear there's nothing more in it for the top 10 qualifiers.

[crayzayjay]

There is something more in it for the top 10 qualifiers: a second chance, an opportunity to make last minute changes, a chance to get further up the grid. Im for equality between all the teams, simple as that.

[Guido]

Oh and that's why they call it SuperPole. We can think whatever we want, FIA will decide and that's how it'll be next year

[crayzayjay]

Sadly, yes, it seems that it comes down to the ones that appear least informed

[Guido]

Originally Posted by crayzayjay

Sadly, yes, it seems that it comes down to the ones that appear least informed

... and well payed as well.