Fixing the NEW 2016 F1 Qualifying

Ok, so everyone agrees that the new qualifying rules aren’t quite right. For 2016 the following rules were introduced for Q1, Q2 & Q3:

• Q1: Lasts for 16 minutes. After seven minutes the slowest driver is eliminated and (barring other penalties) will fill the final spot on the grid. The slowest driver is eliminated every one minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag, meaning that for a 22 car grid, 7 drivers will take no further part in qualifying and 15 advance to Q2. Any driver whose best Q1 lap time exceeds 107 percent of the fastest time set during that session will not be allowed to take part in the race without the discretion of the stewards.
• Q2: After a short break, the times will be reset and the 15 remaining cars then will then run in a 15-minute session. After six minutes the slowest driver is eliminated, with the next slowest drivers eliminated every one minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag. At the end of the 15 minutes seven drivers will have been eliminated and will fill places 9 to 15 on the grid.
• Q3: After a further break, the times are reset and a final 14-minute session will be held to decide pole position and the starting order for the top eight grid places. After five minutes the slowest driver is eliminated, with the next slowest drivers eliminated every one minute and 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag. That leaves two drivers to battle it out over pole position in the final one minute and 30 seconds.

I think Q1 and Q2 are pretty good and don’t need to be changed. The problem lies with issues such as what happened in Australia Q3 where no cars were out on track. That’s the big problem. Spectators have come to see a race and probably paid quite a lot, only to be sat there looking at an empty track.

But I do think the ‘elimination’ idea is spot on, so why not build on it?

What if the following happened instead…

• Q3 Suggestion: After a further break, the times are reset and a final session will be held to decide pole position and the starting order for the top eight grid places. All 8 drivers are given a fresh set of the same tyres and fuel is set to the same amount. They are then lined up on the grid in order of best lap time during the previous Q1 or Q2 (whichever was fastest). All drivers must then complete 7 laps with the driver at the back being eliminated after each lap. The last lap will leave two drivers to battle it out over pole position. Once Q3 has finished all 8 drivers must return their tyres and replace with tyres used in Q2, as not to give advantage against other drivers.

This way, you have a ‘mini-race’ that shouldn’t affect the main race in terms of tyres. Spectators will be able to see cars on the track for the whole qualifying event and the ‘elimination’ rounds can stay. A win-win!