Disastrous New F1 Qualifying Format Is Coming Back For Next Race
The new-for-2016 F1 elimination-style qualifying format was introduced in Australia and, quite simply, bombed.
F1 teams and bosses agreed immediately after its debut to scrap it and return to the old, well-liked system. “Hurray”, we thought. Back to normality. But, this weird tale has taken another turn.
To recap: for this year a new format for qualifying has been brought in where after several minutes of running, drivers are eliminated every 90 seconds. Seven drivers drop out in Q1 and the same number in Q2, leaving eight to fight in Q3.
Running takes place for five minutes in the final session before drivers are eliminated every 90 seconds. The theory was that the top two drivers would fight for pole position in the final minute and a half but in Australia, this failed to happen.
Despite a frantic start to Q1 and Q2, the end of the sessions were dull, with drivers climbing out of their cars and watching as they dropped out. It was boring, uneventful and sparked outrage from drivers, fans and even the team bosses who ironically voted to introduce it.
Having said afterwards that it would be binned and the old format would return, Bernie Ecclestone now says the elimination-style system will remain for the next race.
The Bahrain Grand Prix, which takes place next weekend, will use the new format. Other options and possibilities will then be explored, from reverting to the old system to tweaking the new one.
Ecclestone told Reuters:
“The outcome I think is that we are going to stay as we are. After Bahrain, we’re going to have a look at it.”
The news emerged just one day after the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association complained about the “obsolete and ill-structured” rule-making process and urged owners and stakeholders to restructure its governance, after the “disruptive” introduction of several new rules.
Comments
As an American that doesn’t watch/knows nothing of F1, I have a feeling now is not the time to try to get into watching the sport.
It’s so boring that none of our TV stations wants to broadcast it. Seriously even football (soccer for muricans) is more exciting than F1!
Bernie’s like a Sepp Blatter who can’t shut up and take the money and instead has to feed is own ego constantly
Teams: “Boy, we really messed up with this quali format”.
Bernie: “Yeah, even I think it’s bad”.
Teams: “We need to fix this. The best defence is a good offence, let’s do exactly the same thing for Bahrain”.
Bernie: “Sounds like a terrible idea, I’m in! Let’s bring back double points too, because that’s what the fans want”.
Jean Todt: “How about we decide who’s the best team and just not race? It’d save fuel and tyres”.
F1 fans: “I’m leaving. For good. Bye.”
Bernie is 85, somebody get this demented pensioner out of running anything, his mind is deluded by now, he can’t run a grocery store, let alone F1
He’s really wants to bring down the F1 reputation. -_-
The new quali format has been panned by the press, but it was a huge SUCCESSFULLY experiment. We all know it would have been a Mercedes 1-2 in quali so in the end it didn’t change a thing. But on order to be at the front of the second session a driver has to run a lot more laps. So the front runners were on more worn tires than those behind. This mixed things up for the race and made it a little more interesting. I loved the knockout qualifying.
It’s alright for q1&2, q3 if they are going to change it could just be a literal shoot out, each driver gets one chance. Like at bathurst
F1 is ruled by minkies… im going over here to watch riding lawn mower racing.
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