FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[LRW]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112434

Formula 1 teams and the FIA are to discuss plans for an immediate shake-up of qualifying rules to boost the spectacle

Motor racing's governing body has convened a meeting with team managers for February 21, during the next F1 test in Bahrain, to discuss changing the format of qualifying for 2014. The move has come after concerns were expressed in the recent F1 Strategy Group meeting that drivers may be more inclined this season to not run in Q3 in a bid to save tyres for the race. To prevent qualifying being a turn-off for fans, the Strategy Group has asked that teams and the FIA discuss ideas to ensure that drivers are forced to push in Q3 for the best grid positions.

A RESPONSE TO TYRE SAVING

Under the current rules, the top ten drivers have to start the grand prix on the set of tyres that they set their best Q3 time on. That has led to situations where drivers have elected to sit out the final qualifying session because it gives them a free tyre choice which can benefit their strategy for the race. The aim of the February 21 meeting is to try to come up with a consensus for rules tweaks that will ensure that the spectacle of Q3 delivers.

AUTOSPORT has learned that a host of proposals are being put forward for discussion.

They include forcing the ten drivers who make it through to Q3 to start the race on the set of tyres that they set their best Q2 lap on. That means that there will be no incentive to sit out Q3. Furthermore, there is an idea to hand drivers extra sets of tyres for the final qualifying segment, which are returned to the FIA afterwards, that will allow them to push for the fastest lap without worrying it will compromise their race chances. F1 tyre supplier Pirelli has always said it is open to the idea of supplying such qualifying tyres if teams wanted it.

There will also be discussions about lengthening the duration of Q3 to ensure there is enough time for the top ten drivers to complete two timed qualifying runs.

UNANIMOUS SUPPORT NEEDED

If any changes are to be made to the qualifying rules for this season then it will require unanimous support from all teams at the meeting. If such backing is found, the rules tweaks will be put to the F1 Commission and the FIA's World Motor Sport Council for ratification before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 16. But although the changes would likely improve the spectacle of Q3, some teams could object if they felt the new rules could hurt their competitiveness.

I think something needs to be done about Q3, so this could be a good thing....?

[NHcheese]

I agree completely. Pirelli made tyres to make the sport better to watch, and now they say that it's making it boring for the fans. What is this.

[What's Burning?]

That's the beauty of the sport, let's not just look at the simple solution of giving drivers that made Q3 an extra set of tires... let's also look at the considerably mode complicated idea of having them start the race with the tires they had their best time in Q2.

[spankyham]

I'm worried an extra set of tires would cost too much

[Hammer278]

This is getting pretty annoying. Some of us have LIVES (seriously) and can't keep track of rule changes every few months!!

[CookinFlat6]

Its not rocket science, but F1 is such a mess everything has to be decided by a comitee of self serving dumbasses

Just give an extra set of the soft tyres (or fastest tyre for whatever the conditions) and give 1 WDC point for quali. Bingo everyone takes part, the fast inexperienced rookies have a chance to shine. The race becomes a seperate show

Everyone is happy

surely

[1Lemon]

Let's be honest here, the shakeup might occur when only a few of the cars in Q3 can actually run without risking destroying their engines.

[LewEngBridewell]

The ONLY thing that's wrong with qualifying at the moment is the tyres.

So, I'm glad this meeting is being considered.

[What's Burning?]

I do agree, no bigger carrot than a point for pole to get them out there. But an extra tire just for Q3 is the lowest common denominator answer.

[racechick]

For goodness sake! They won't go out in q3 because the tyres are crap. Give them decent tyres! Or as has been suggested, an extra set for everyone who runs in q3, they'd soon start running in q3 then.

[myownalias]

The simple solution would be to have qualifying tyres for QUALIFYING and let drivers choose what tyres to start the race on; and even better; ditch having to use both compounds in the race.

And why decide to bring this up now six weeks before the start of the season? The FIA really is a farcical organization!

[Jabberwocky]

how about a new set of softest tyres available to be used in that quali session.

[spankyham]

How about we get the drivers girlfriends to jello wrestle? Add a 12 volume set of "jello wrestling rules" for AN to find a loophole in whilst Bernie and Flavio try and chat-up the contestants. Of course to satisfy the budget driven we will insist on an Italian prescribed bikini - affordable even for HRT. This will doubly satisfy our anti-all-things-Ferrari-clan who can both enjoy the eye candy and whinge some more about Ferrari preferential treatment

[Hammer278]

I say bring back the Fear Factor episodes and let all drivers contest in eating bugs on a Saturday, the one who eats most gets pole and 1 WDC point.

[racechick]

I say bring back the Fear Factor episodes and let all drivers contest in eating bugs on a Saturday, the one who eats most gets pole and 1 WDC point.

I think Maldonado would win that. I suspect he already has a plateful for breakfast