- 03 Apr 16, 13:00#439740
My proposed version of qualifying for 2016
Due to the current state of qualifying and the need to shake things up. This is my idea of a qualifying session which might produce something different to the session itself and to the race day.
Qualifying format: Q1
20 minutes: all drivers head out and set a maximum of 2 timed laps during the first 10 minutes of the session. This is going to be a critical time to be out on track and setting a quick lap.
After the first 10 minutes of the session the top 10 drivers stay in the garage and are through to Q2 and will take no further part in Q1.
The next 10 minutes allows a clearer track for the remaining 12 drivers to set 2 more flying laps, if needed. Regardless of the times set during this portion of the session the drivers are battling to get into the next session and need to set a time faster than the 15th place man to get through to the next round.
If a driver like say Hamilton finds himself in this session and sets a time which would beat the pole time in the first 10 minutes. This still only pushes him to 11 position during this portion of qualifying. But he will be through to the next round where he still gets to fight for 1st place.
Drivers during this 2nd 10 minute session are fighting for a place in the next round not for grid slots but it removes the top ten to allow a clearer track. After this 10 minutes session the bottom 5 are out and will remain in their relative positions for the race.
Remember though, you are only aloud 2 timed laps during each portion of Q1 so countering someone else's lap time is crucial and being on track at the right time as it evolves.
Q2: Another 20 minute session
First 10 minutes, 2 timed laps if required, as before in Q1 but the top 8 drivers will then remain in the pit and are through to Q3.
The 2nd 10 minutes of the session will determine grid positions for all remaining drivers on track for positions between 9th and 16th place.
2 flying laps only per driver maximum.
Q3 15 minutes.
8 drivers remain in this session, the top 8. Limitless laps during this session but all drivers must use the medium compound tyre and will start the race on the medium tyre that they set the fastest lap on during this session.
This will allow drivers who qualified below 8th place to have more grip with the choice of tyre and maybe opting for soft tyres and possibly make places off the start and be more racier in the first part of the race.
This will be very hard to predict strategies.
If qualifying takes place during wet conditions. All drivers will start on the relative best tyre for current conditions if racing continues in the wet.
If qualifying is wet but the race is dry. All drivers will be given the choice of tyre that best suits their own strategy & visa versa regarding the weather and tyres, wet qualifying - dry race.
Also during the first 10 minute session of Q1 and Q2 a driver setting a lap as the clock goes past the 10 minute mark will not count. He will not be aloud to finish the lap.
During the 2nd portion of Q1 and Q2 a driver setting a time as the clock finishes the session will be aloud to finish his lap and the time will stand.
During Q3 a driver setting a lap as the clock finishes will also be aloud to finish the lap and the time will stand.
Due to the current state of qualifying and the need to shake things up. This is my idea of a qualifying session which might produce something different to the session itself and to the race day.
Qualifying format: Q1
20 minutes: all drivers head out and set a maximum of 2 timed laps during the first 10 minutes of the session. This is going to be a critical time to be out on track and setting a quick lap.
After the first 10 minutes of the session the top 10 drivers stay in the garage and are through to Q2 and will take no further part in Q1.
The next 10 minutes allows a clearer track for the remaining 12 drivers to set 2 more flying laps, if needed. Regardless of the times set during this portion of the session the drivers are battling to get into the next session and need to set a time faster than the 15th place man to get through to the next round.
If a driver like say Hamilton finds himself in this session and sets a time which would beat the pole time in the first 10 minutes. This still only pushes him to 11 position during this portion of qualifying. But he will be through to the next round where he still gets to fight for 1st place.
Drivers during this 2nd 10 minute session are fighting for a place in the next round not for grid slots but it removes the top ten to allow a clearer track. After this 10 minutes session the bottom 5 are out and will remain in their relative positions for the race.
Remember though, you are only aloud 2 timed laps during each portion of Q1 so countering someone else's lap time is crucial and being on track at the right time as it evolves.
Q2: Another 20 minute session
First 10 minutes, 2 timed laps if required, as before in Q1 but the top 8 drivers will then remain in the pit and are through to Q3.
The 2nd 10 minutes of the session will determine grid positions for all remaining drivers on track for positions between 9th and 16th place.
2 flying laps only per driver maximum.
Q3 15 minutes.
8 drivers remain in this session, the top 8. Limitless laps during this session but all drivers must use the medium compound tyre and will start the race on the medium tyre that they set the fastest lap on during this session.
This will allow drivers who qualified below 8th place to have more grip with the choice of tyre and maybe opting for soft tyres and possibly make places off the start and be more racier in the first part of the race.
This will be very hard to predict strategies.
If qualifying takes place during wet conditions. All drivers will start on the relative best tyre for current conditions if racing continues in the wet.
If qualifying is wet but the race is dry. All drivers will be given the choice of tyre that best suits their own strategy & visa versa regarding the weather and tyres, wet qualifying - dry race.
Also during the first 10 minute session of Q1 and Q2 a driver setting a lap as the clock goes past the 10 minute mark will not count. He will not be aloud to finish the lap.
During the 2nd portion of Q1 and Q2 a driver setting a time as the clock finishes the session will be aloud to finish his lap and the time will stand.
During Q3 a driver setting a lap as the clock finishes will also be aloud to finish the lap and the time will stand.
