Revised Qualifying Explained

Qualifying got a shake up after a new format had been approved by the FIA. The controversial format is elimination style, and debuted at the opening Grand Prix in Australia just a few days ago.

The Format, which some see as complicated, retains the three sessions which will decide the grid in stages, but the layout of these sessions had changed

The first round of qualifying is sixteen minutes long. After the first seven minutes, the slowest driver is eliminated from the session. Every minute and a half from this point, the next slowest driver is eliminated until the chequered flag.

Fifteen drivers will progress to Q2.

The second round of qualifying, fifteen minutes long, follows the same format as the first, with the first driver being eliminated after six minutes.

Eight drivers will progress to Q3.

The third and final round of qualifying will be fourteen minutes long. After the first five minutes, the slowest driver is eliminated, with the next slowest driver being eliminated every minute and a half until, with only ninety sessions of qualifying left, only two drivers remain.

The FIA hoped the change would mix up the grid and make the races the following day more exciting and make the Saturday more interesting for the fans, but many of the personalities in Formula One, both on and off track, disliked the new format.

“I hope it stays simple, that’s important, and maybe is a bit more exciting during the qualifying,” Nico Rosberg told Autosport, ahead of the Australian GP Qualifying.

Carlos Sainz agreed with Rosberg’s concern.

“I read them very briefly and I didn’t understand them,” he said. “If it makes things more spectacular, then it’s welcome. I just hope that the fans that are not big fans of Formula 1 and just turn on their TV on Sunday understand it and they know what’s happening.”

There was also concerns that the new format wouldn’t be ready in time for the season opener on the 19th due to the software changes required.

However, they did run this revised version and after many complaints from teams, drivers, fans and media, the FIA decided to drop the revised version and Qualifying will return to its normal ways starting at the next race in Bahrain.
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Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
Edited By: Amy Hawk
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