FIA tweaks F1 Sprint shootout rules to prevent Baku inters gamble

The FIA has amended F1's tyre regulations for Sprint weekends to prevent teams from relying on clever qualifying strategies that allow drivers to run intermediate tyres on a dry track, as was the case in Baku back in April.

Formula 1's Sprint format regulations mandate that drivers use one set of Medium tyres in the first and second segments of the Shootout, and then a set of new Softs in SQ3.

Article 30.5, part four of the regulations states: "In the period SQ3 of the Sprint Shootout, up to one set of dry-weather tyres may be used, and this must only be a new set of the Soft specification."

However, while that rule is clear, the regulations says nothing about compelling teams to save a set of new softs for SQ3.

This means that a driver can run through an entire allocation of soft tyres in Friday's qualifying session but would be forced to sit out SQ3 the following day - should the driver reach the final segment on Saturday – due to not having a new set of softs at his disposal.

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This was the calculated strategy chosen earlier this year in Baku by McLaren and AlphaTauri who both opted to prioritise the positions of Norris and Tsunoda on Sunday's grid by using their entire allocation of soft tyres in Friday's qualifying.

The tactic paid off reasonably well for both drivers, with Norris starting the Azerbaijan GP from P7, just one position ahead of Tsunoda who lined up P8 on the grid.

The new rule – which the FIA had the right to implement before August 1 – now allows drivers to run in SQ3 with a used set of soft tyres, which still doesn't preclude them from using up all their new softs before Saturday's Sprint shootout session.

In a note to competitors published ahead of this weekend's Austrian GP, FIA race director Niels Wittich wrote:

"In order to avoid the acknowledged unintended consequence whereby in certain situations at sprint events it becomes attractive to run intermediate tyres on a dry track, the following amendment to Article 30.5.h of the Formula 1 sporting regulations is made.

"Consultation has occurred with the commercial rights holder, stewards and teams. The agreement of the FIA, the commercial rights holder and nine competitors has been obtained in accordance with Article 1.4.

"Accordingly, my decision is that Article 30.5 h) iv) be modified to read as follows - Article 30.5h iv revised wording:

"In the period SQ3 of the sprint shootout, up to one set of dry-weather tyres may be used, and this must only be a set of the soft specification."

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