Sainz suggests return to single-lap qualifying format

Carlos Sainz wouldn't mind if positions on the starting grid were determined by a single-lap all-out effort in Saturday's qualifying session.

Historically, Formula 1's qualifying format started with a two-session affair that morphed into a one-hour 'made for TV' shootout in 1996.

The sport then introduced one-lap qualifying in 2003 as a way of boosting the track action on Friday and Saturday afternoons.

In 2005, F1 introduced aggregated qualifying by which the grid was decided by combining the times from two single-lap qualifying runs, an unpopular scheme for the teams and fans alike.

In 2006, it was back to multi-lap qualifying, albeit with a twist as a three-part session was introduced with the slowest drivers progressively eliminated after each segment.

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The format received a few tweaks, mainly linked to fuel loads, and eventually formed the basis of the current format. F1 is now debating whether to add a fourth segment to qualifying, and leave just eight drivers to contend for pole.

Sainz isn't against the idea, but suggests the final group battles it out over a single lap.

"I would like to see that [a Q4] but only with one set of tyres per session," the Renault driver told Motorsport Week.

"Don’t give the drivers a second set of tyres, have to do it one time per session. I think the pressure would be higher."

The future McLaren driver believes a single chance to perform would force drivers to pull out all the stops.

"Your speciality as a driver is putting a lap together in Q1, straightaway in Q2, and not sandbagging like a lot of drivers are in Q1, and then give it all out in Q2, or give it all out in Q3," he added.

"If you have only once chance you put a lot of beans and concentration into that one lap."

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