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FIA outlines new F1 qualifying format for 2016

The FIA has outlined a new qualifying format which is set to be introduced in F1 this season.

Following a meeting of the F1 Commission on Tuesday in Geneva it was announced there would be a new elimination-style qualifying session in 2016. The FIA has now published the details of the proposal, which is being evaluated but is due to be in place at the Australian Grand Prix next month.

"A new qualification format was unanimously accepted by the F1 Commission," the FIA explained. "The new system is being evaluated for introduction, potentially as soon as the beginning of the 2016 season.

"The basis of the new elimination format is as follows:

16 minutes
After 7 minutes, slowest driver eliminated
Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag
7 drivers eliminated, 15 progress to Q2

15 minutes
After 6 minutes, slowest driver eliminated
Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag
7 drivers eliminated, 8 progress to Q3

14 minutes
After 5 minutes, slowest driver eliminated
Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag
2 drivers left in final 1 minute 30 seconds

"The final elimination in each session occurs at the chequered flag – not when time is up."

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.