Towards a new qualifying format in 2019?

Never short of solutions to innovate, the Formula 1 could offer a new qualification system from the 2019 season. To the different phases of Q1, Q2, Q3, a Q4 would be added.

Four drivers would be eliminated at the end of each section. There would only be eight competitors vying for pole position, compared to 10 currently. If Liberty Media has not commented on the subject, we know that the F1 Strategy Group has looked into this project.

The objective is to add interest to the last minutes of qualifying and force the leading teams to run with the best performing tires in the potential Q2 and Q3. In 2018 in Q2, the Mercedes or the Ferrari prefer to rely on durable tires rather than grippy ones to save a set of tires for Q3.

Charlie Whiting, the F1 racing director, explains that “F1 has done a lot of research with fans, and she feels it’s one of the fans’ requests. Slightly shorter sessions, less break between each phase, and four drivers eliminated over time. The final decision is not up to me, but I personally think it’s a good idea. »

Discover the analysis of the Russian GP carried out by our special correspondents in issue 2185 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.