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.
----
Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
Edited By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended

Calendar Changes For 2016 F1 Season

Australian Grand Prix organisers have announced that the Australian race will be on April 3rd in 2016. This starting date will actually make it the latest starting date for a Formula 1 season since 1988.

Seems as the Australian race is the only one from the next season that has been announced, some  people have been asking whether Australia will be where the season kicks off. As more people have been wondering this the race organisers have put all queries to rest as they confirmed that Australia will still be holding the first race of the season. With this in mind, we have to consider what this will mean for the rest of the season and the schedule.

The chief executive of the Australian Grand Prix has stated that he believes the season will be more condensed. This means there will be more events over a shorter period of time. There are currently known to be 20 events on the calendar next year. We should definitely expect to have more back-to-back race weekends. The races that take part on consecutive weekends will be geographical grouped.

The result of this alteration seems mostly positive as the cost will decrease. In addition to this, it is hoped that the change in calendar structure will make it easier for fans and viewers at home to keep track of race weekends. I suppose we'll just have to wait and see. For now, let's just enjoy the rest of this season!

----
Article Written By: Frances Fry
No copyright infringement intended
Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78

Updated Driver Line-Up 2014. (Updated DECEMBER 31ST.)

I am doing this article instead of updating the last Driver Line-Up that I had up, because so many things have changed and a lot of things are now official. 

Redbull: Sebastian Vettel & Daniel Ricciardo.
This is official and can't change. Both drivers have contracts and are already preparing.

Mercedes: Nico Rosberg & Lewis Hamilton.
Also official.

Lotus: Romain Grosjean & Pastor Maldonado.
This has been made official by Lotus recently. Hmm.. Should be interesting to watch.

Ferrari: Fernando Alonso & Kimi Raikkonen.
Official.

McLaren: Jenson Button & Kevin Magnussen.
Official.

Force India: Nico Hulkenberg & Sergio Perez.
This was complete a few weeks ago. This is a wonderfully strong pairing.

Sauber: Adrian Sutil & Esteban Gutierrez.
Made official by The SauberF1 team a few weeks ago. Sergey will be their New Test Driver.

Williams: Felipe Massa & Valtteri Bottas.
Official.

Toro Rosso: Jean-Eric Vergne & Danill Kvyat.
Official.

Caterham: To Be Announced & To Be Announced.
I have no idea who'll be on this team next year, though I have heard rumours that Charles Pic will not return.

Marussia: Jules Bianchi & To Be Announced.
With Jules confirmed officially by the team, everyone is waiting to find out his team-mate and it could be another week or two before anything is announced.

More to come soon.

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.
No Copyright Infringement Intended.