F1 drivers unimpressed with new qualifying rule set for Imola trial

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F1's top drivers have questioned the usefulness of a new qualifying format that is set to be trailed in May at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.

Dubbed by F1 the 'Alternative Tyre Allocation', the format will see each driver supplied with 11 sets of tyres instead of 13 for the entire race weekend.

The trial, which will also take place at a yet to be determined second venue later this year, is part of the sport's bid to reduce the inventory of tyres that Pirelli hauls to very race.

Drivers are currently free to choose which compounds they use in the three segments of qualifying. But under the new format, drivers will be required to use Hard tyres in Q1, Mediums in Q2, and the Soft rubber in Q3.

Each driver will receive three sets of Hards, four sets of Mediums and four sets of Softs for the weekend.

Last weekend in Bahrain, top qualifiers Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc offered their views on the new format and trial.

"I hope it’s not going to be cold in Imola, otherwise it’s going to be quite tricky," said Verstappen.

"It’s the same for everyone, but I don’t think we need to actually do these kinds of things in qualifying. I don’t really see the benefit of it.

"It’s better if we make sure that all the cars are close to each other and more competitive instead of spicing things up in that way, which I think is probably for the show."

Read also: Emilia Romagna GP set for F1 qualifying experiment

An equally unimpressed Perez agreed with his Red Bull teammate.

"I just think it’s for the show. I think we don’t need that," said the Mexican.

"When you see the qualifying we had today, how close everything was, you don’t really need to change anything. We’ll see once we try it.

"But I don’t think there’s a need to change something that is working well."

While also cautious over the change, Leclerc is keeping an open mind.

"I don't feel there was a need for change for that, but let's try and see," said the Ferrari driver.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.