Formula 1 in push to shake up qualifying for 2014.

[Rob]

by Jonathan Noble Thursday, February 6th 2014, 12:21 GMT


Formula 1 teams and the FIA are to discuss plans for an immediate shake-up of qualifying rules to boost the spectacle, AUTOSPORT can reveal.

Motor racing's governing body has convened a meeting with team managers for February 21, during the next F1 test in Bahrain, to discuss changing the format of qualifying for 2014.

The move has come after concerns were expressed in the recent F1 Strategy Group meeting that drivers may be more inclined this season to not run in Q3 in a bid to save tyres for the race.

To prevent qualifying being a turn-off for fans, the Strategy Group has asked that teams and the FIA discuss ideas to ensure that drivers are forced to push in Q3 for the best grid positions.

A RESPONSE TO TYRE SAVING

Under the current rules, the top 10 drivers have to start the grand prix on the set of tyres that they set their best Q3 time on.

That has led to situations where drivers have elected to sit out the final qualifying session because it gives them a free tyre choice which can benefit their strategy for the race.

The aim of the February 21 meeting is to try to come up with a consensus for rules tweaks that will ensure that the spectacle of Q3 delivers.

AUTOSPORT has learned that a host of proposals are being put forward for discussion.

They include forcing the 10 drivers who make it through to Q3 to start the race on the set of tyres that they set their best Q2 lap on.

That means that there will be no incentive to sit out Q3.

Furthermore, there is an idea to hand drivers extra sets of tyres for the final qualifying segment, which are returned to the FIA afterwards, that will allow them to push for the fastest lap without worrying it will compromise their race chances.

F1 tyre supplier Pirelli has always said it is open to the idea of supplying such qualifying tyres if teams wanted it.

There will also be discussions about lengthening the duration of Q3 to ensure there is enough time for the top 10 drivers to complete two timed qualifying runs.

UNANIMOUS SUPPORT NEEDED

If any changes are to be made to the qualifying rules for this season then it will require unanimous support from all teams at the meeting.

If such backing is found, the rules tweaks will be put to the F1 Commission and the FIA's World Motor Sport Council for ratification before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 16.

But although the changes would likely improve the spectacle of Q3, some teams could object if they felt the new rules could hurt their competitiveness.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112434

[Rob]

Think, the only way to get around this, is to give the ten drivers who make it through to Q3, extra set of softs. But then, what happens if a driver qualifies in, say, P5, get 10 place grid penalty? Then the driver is gets up into P10, is slightly disadvantaged, as they could of run in Q3 and maybe got bit higher up the grid. Maybe. Thats just a line of thought i had reading it. :Hmm

God idea, as something has to be done. Q3 is (can be) an anti-climax nowadays.

[Hermann]

I would like a qualy format like they have in DTM: 3 runs, and then the best 4 go for pole. I don't know how they handle the tyres there, but that last round of the best 4 is always very exciting. Each one only having one run, but is alone on track. Its fun!

[Hornet]

Funny how they try to make the sport more entertaining by confusing the viewers even more. I think the whole tire business is getting way too complicated now. IMO it's time to go back to the old format of using qualifying tires and race tires. That way, drivers will not need to save tires and no complex tire arrangement to confuse the viewers either.

[brembo man]

Funny how they try to make the sport more entertaining by confusing the viewers even more. I think the whole tire business is getting way too complicated now. IMO it's time to go back to the old format of using qualifying tires and race tires. That way, drivers will not need to save tires and no complex tire arrangement to confuse the viewers either.

That certainly sounds like the best idea. Scribble a few more sponsor names on the cars to pay for the tires and back to the old format as you say.

[Winter]

It would be great, if Pirelli gives extra set for Q3. And if those tyres would be made to be especially for qualifying and would be super fast for 1-2 laps.

Though I don't think that this present system is too bad , skipping Q3 means different strategys and likely more overtakes.

[Kiwi Nick]

Here's a crazy idea...Why not let drivers qualify on whatever tire they like and start the race on whatever tire they like? That is how the drivers outside the top 10 do it. They still will have to use one set of each compound tire.

The more the FIA get out of the way, the better things run.

[wisepie]

Funny how they try to make the sport more entertaining by confusing the viewers even more. I think the whole tire business is getting way too complicated now. IMO it's time to go back to the old format of using qualifying tires and race tires. That way, drivers will not need to save tires and no complex tire arrangement to confuse the viewers either.

Oh no, not more tinkering with tyres, there's enough complication with the tyre regulations already, I'm with Hornet on this but I suppose the strategists might welcome yet more possibilities to cause confusion! And any extra running in quali will hurt those engines more than ever, what happens when the engines blow in Q3?

[Kyss4k]

I don't understand, why there is need to penalise the top 10 by forcing them to start on used tyres... quali tyres all the way.

[Rob]

I don't understand, why there is need to penalise the top 10 by forcing them to start on used tyres... quali tyres all the way.

When they bought in that rule, is had the thinking of the cars out of the top 10 would storm up the field and have lots of overtaking, to spice up "the show":roll

[Winter]

-"But although the changes would likely improve the spectacle of Q3, some teams could object if they felt the new rules could hurt their competitiveness"-

Probably middle field teams which doesn't think that they will reach to Q3 will deny changes. Otherwise they would lose that slight tire advantage-
what they now have against Q3 teams.

[sweeper1101]

Why not give incentive points for Q3
ex.
10pts for pole
9pts for 2nd
...
1pt for 10th in the grid

[shamim179]

A change might be worth discussing but to implement such a change that could affect how teams perform so soon before the season starts is not well thought out. This proposal should have been put forward before not now.

[SS454]

Why not give incentive points for Q3
ex.
10pts for pole
9pts for 2nd
...
1pt for 10th in the grid

Have you seen how many poles Vettel gets? I would not like this rule.

Having 1 extra set of tires (not special qualifying tires) would be great. Everyone gets to push to the max.

[Kyss4k]

Why not give incentive points for Q3
ex.
10pts for pole
9pts for 2nd
...
1pt for 10th in the grid

I hate when there are points given for quali. If you get pole, it's advantage at it's own. No need to reward it more. What is wrong now, is that those who qualify well are penalised with old tyres, that's why it may seem not rewarding enough now.

Just give them all quali tyres... Keep it simple.

[wisepie]

I hate when there are points given for quali. If you get pole, it's advantage at it's own. No need to reward it more. What is wrong now, is that those who qualify well are penalised with old tyres, that's why it may seem not rewarding enough now.

Just give them all quali tyres... Keep it simple.

+ 1, and as for the talk about double points for the last 3 races, this is just getting sillier. These ideas will create a virtual World Championship before long, and dilute its credibility as the pinnacle of motorsport.

[Winter]

I hate when there are points given for quali. If you get pole, it's advantage at it's own. No need to reward it more. What is wrong now, is that those who qualify well are penalised with old tyres, that's why it may seem not rewarding enough now.

Just give them all quali tyres... Keep it simple.

1 point for pole would be only a good thing. Pole isn't as big advantage what it has been before, before DRS.
Qualifying has lost some of its importance because overtaking is so easy these days.

[Kyss4k]

1 point for pole would be only a good thing. Pole isn't as big advantage what it has been before, before DRS.
Qualifying has lost some of its importance because overtaking is so easy these days.

It's still quite an advantage, considering you have clean air infront of you. As Vettel showed, it can be abused pretty well.

[fronaldo]

Simple..give quali tyres..so everyone can push..

[Suzie]

Qualifying tyres, please.

[ALO]

Qualifying tyres, please.

More qualifying tires for sure!

[Giallo 550]

Seriously, how about just letting them use whatever tire they want whenever they want?

[SS454]

When you guys are asking for qualifying tires. Are you asking for super soft, special compound qualifying tires? If so I don't think you realize the consequences it could pose. The Pirelli tires are already super sensitive. Ferrari have developed their chassis the best they could around the concept of what this years tires will be like. Ferrari can have the best chassis in the world, but if it doesn't make the tires work then it'll be a dud. Heck the F138 was good till they changed the tires last year... and then suddenly the Red Bull was unbeatable. A set of tires for qual 3 is good, a special tire just for qualifying is bad.

[Hornet]

When you guys are asking for qualifying tires. Are you asking for super soft, special compound qualifying tires? If so I don't think you realize the consequences it could pose. The Pirelli tires are already super sensitive. Ferrari have developed their chassis the best they could around the concept of what this years tires will be like. Ferrari can have the best chassis in the world, but if it doesn't make the tires work then it'll be a dud. Heck the F138 was good till they changed the tires last year... and then suddenly the Red Bull was unbeatable. A set of tires for qual 3 is good, a special tire just for qualifying is bad.
Existing soft and super soft are adequate for the job. Mediums or hard for the race depending on the track. After all, the drivers have said in the past that the tires are too fragile for their liking, so the existing soft and super soft aren't that suitable for a race anyway.

Qualifying and race will always require different durability, all the problems we see today with tire conserving arise from the forced mixing of both compound in qualifying and race. Instead of trying to further complicate the situation while trying to solve those problems we created in the first place, perhaps a better solution is to take a step back to when these problem didn't exist.

F138 problem arise from the switch during mid season. But despite that, we have to admit that it's the same for everyone. Lotus continue to be good with the new tires, so at the end of the day we have to shoulder the blame for the F138 lack of performance.

[Kyss4k]

When you guys are asking for qualifying tires. Are you asking for super soft, special compound qualifying tires? If so I don't think you realize the consequences it could pose. The Pirelli tires are already super sensitive. Ferrari have developed their chassis the best they could around the concept of what this years tires will be like. Ferrari can have the best chassis in the world, but if it doesn't make the tires work then it'll be a dud. Heck the F138 was good till they changed the tires last year... and then suddenly the Red Bull was unbeatable. A set of tires for qual 3 is good, a special tire just for qualifying is bad.

Just one or two sets of options, that would be used only in Q3.

[izybluffen]

My vote goes for quali tyres for the top 10. While were at it give'em quali motors as well considering 5 engines this season is pretty lame.
Quali tyres and motors were the spectacle of quali in the past = Extra grunt + grip lets the brave jump higher up the grid.