Categories: 2016 SeasonF1 News, Reports and Race Results

Revised qualifying format proposed for Melbourne

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A revised qualifying format could be introduced from the start of this season, retaining part of the old system.

A meeting of Charlie Whiting and the sporting directors took place on Tuesday, seeking a solution for the qualifying proposals which had appeared to be under threat. After an elimination-style qualifying was announced last week, Bernie Ecclestone warned it would not be possible to introduce before the Spanish Grand Prix.

However, a compromise has now been suggested, with the first two sessions to feature the planned elimination format as drivers would be knocked out at 90-second intervals. Q3 would then retain the same format as at present, with a 12 minute session involving eight cars - rather than ten as previously - fighting for pole position without elimination.

The format wold work 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

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

12 minutes
8 drivers battle for pole position

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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.