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Why the new qualifying format misses the plot

24/2/2016

4 Comments

 
Picture
Image Courtesy: Ferrari
The new qualifying format is not only unnecessary, but it will fail to lead to mixed-up grids after a period of time.

Formula 1 rulemakers have been considering a revamp of the grand prix format for some time now, with both reverse grids and sprint races, among others, being mooted by the members of the Strategy Group.

While such ideas never received the necessary support, a new qualifying format has been approved following Tuesday’s meeting in Geneva.

In true gimmicky fashion, and more in line with casual games, drivers will be eliminated every 90 seconds in a knockout format.

Q1 - 16 minutes 
- After the first 7 minutes, the slowest driver is eliminated;
- Slowest driver eliminated every 90 seconds;
- in all 7 drivers are eliminated and remaining 15 progress to Q2

Q2 - 15 minutes
- After 6 minutes, slowest driver eliminated;
- Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds;
- 7 drivers eliminated, remaining 8 progress to Q3

Q3- 14 minutes
- After 5 minutes, slowest driver eliminated;
- Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag;
- 2 drivers left in final 1 minute 30 seconds.

The idea is to ensure more cars on track, while also adding spice to the show. Pirelli’s high degradation tyres, which usually last for one or two flying laps, will form an important part of the equation, requiring drivers to continuously pit for fresh compound without exhausting their supplies.

Theoretically, it should lead to mixed up grids, which, in turn, will make races more exciting. But the question is: for how long?​
Not a long term solution

Formula 1 teams employ the best of strategists who will master the new format within a few races. The unpredictably will be lost soon and we’ll starting coming up with the same grids as we do now.

Yes, there will be that occasional upset, where a team fumbles with the timing, or a driver gambles with the prime tyres, but this is something the current format also provides.

The new format will then become a complicated way of arriving at the starting grid.

If ain’t broke, don’t fix it

The current qualifying format is hailed by many as the best in history, adding a bit of unpredictability while giving drivers enough time to set their quickest possible lap on board.

Yes, purists still prefer the one-hour format where drivers can pound around the track for ‘x’ number of timed laps, but what we have at present doesn’t necessarily require a change.

Moreover, qualifying is mostly watched by diehard fans, who will remain glued to their screens regardless of the level of entertainment. These are the same set of people who watch four hours of practice on Friday and Saturday, seeing drivers go round and round, while also gaining valuable insights from commentators and pitlane reporters.

And finally, is qualifying really supposed to be the most exciting part of the weekend? No, that honour goes to Sunday’s race. No one complains if qualifying is dull or predictable, but if the race turns out to be monotonous, fans quickly start moaning about the state of Formula 1.

Solving the real problem

The latest rule implemented by the rulemakers show how much out of touch they are with the sport. Instead of solving key issues that have led to so much negativity in recent years, they’ve been trying to make changes in areas that are of relatively less importance.

As we urged in the beginning of the year, the Strategy Group needs to devise measures that aid natural overtaking by giving priority to mechanical grip over aero grip.

Many top-tier F1 engineers, including Williams' Pat Symonds and James Allison from Ferrari, have warned that the proposed 2017 regulations, now watered down, may be detrimental for overtaking.

Increase in downforce will, surely, make the cars faster, but it would make it harder to follow another driver closely.

So, there you go. An unnecessary rule change that will not make any change to the 'show'.
by Rachit Thukral
4 Comments
Michael Lyons link
25/2/2016 03:33:31 am

I'm sorry but I disagree, qualy was ruined for the spectator both at the circuit & more importantly people watching at home when they did away with one timed lap for each car. The watching public and the TVs spectators never get to see a whole lap by each driver. Instead they see bits of this car then bits of another car, mainly the last couple of corners over & over again. Depending on the country the producers favour their own nationals even when they are on a warm up or cool down lap. Many don't have a clue how to give the paying public what they want. Until the FIA sort out the television coverage ie take the control away from the local biased producer and give the job to an experienced FIA supplied professional. How many times do we see a great shot of somebody in the pits watching somebody else instead of the disabled real racing.

Reply
Rachit Thukral link
25/2/2016 08:55:37 am

Hello Michael

All races, bar the Monaco Grand Prix, are directed by FOM, with the feed sent to broadcasters around the world. Yes, sometimes, they do give extra focus on local talents (and Carmen Jorda!), but the situation is far better than when local producers had control of what to broadcast.

Reply
Adam Beevers
26/2/2016 08:03:43 am

I'm sorry to say I don't agree with your views either. Yes this is tinkering with a minor part of 'The Show' which ultimately will have little effect on the overall outcome of a race weekend or championship. It doesn't address the issues which prohibit close racing and the exitement that comes from the dramatic visual of cars just inches apart but that isn't all F1 is about, if thats what you want watch Touring cars.

As the technology increases F1 is becoming a truely 'Team' sport. It is important that the best car/ driver combination wins but the new regulation for qualifying test the team in other ways. Just as the critical pit stop puts extra pressure on mechanics the timings of when to release cars from the pits will become massively important to the success of a weekend.

Pirrelli's are good for 2 laps max & most laps are longer than 90 seconds. Spa pole lap was 107 seconds, if you wait till the sector 2 time of a rival to make the call on whether to use that extra set of tyres it could be too late to complete your lap.

It's Q1 & you're seven minutes in; sat in 19th you think you could get 17th. 22nd place is about to be elminated 21st is on a hot lap, 20th on an out lap, 18th, a driver out of position, is on a flyer and the improved 17th place runner is returning to the pits.

Do you gamble a set of tyres? or save them for the race given the promised return of dramatic degredation. Through your out lap & timed lap you will encounter 3 of the drivers immediately around you at various speeds and situations. At silverstone no problem they blast by on a straight, at Monaco? Hungary?. Even at a dusty Melbourne circuit where you can overtake, you need your tyres in prime condition to make the lap time you need but running off line to avoid blocking penalties ruins the tyre surface.

"Formula 1 teams employ the best of strategists who will master the new format within a few races."

The beauty of the new system is that it can't be predicted, the spinning Sauber that brings out a yellow flag and ruins 5 drivers timed laps well thats just how it goes. The grids will be more mixed up for certain and it will last probably a couple of years till teams & drivers have adjusted to it.

The curent format isn't broken but it is predictable & leads to predictable races. It's interesting/ exciting to watch Kimmi start 17th and storm through for a podium. The mixed up grids will put more cars/ drivers out of position than before but the fastest will still be the fastest.

Is it arteficial? No the results of qualifying are fair equal & achieved on merit. It's better than the stupid reverse grid proposal seen in other clases of racing.

You say that the lack of overtaking is the real problem but if the fastest guy is at the front, the slowest at the back how do you think anyone will create an overtaking chance? you just sit behind the guy infront slowly loosing touch while the car behind does the same.

The new 2017 regulations do propose a big downforce increase but 'downforce' alone doesn't mean you can't race close together. The watered down regulations have been done so because Pirelli can't keep the drivers safe at the levels that were being talked about without major research & data gathering.

Around 70% of the increase in downforce will be generated by the under floor elements of the car, these create less turbulant air. It is turbulant air which prohibits close racing as the following car struggles to controll the airflow over its own aero dynamic surfaces making them less effecient, in turn reducing the downforce it can generate.

Think of it this way when F1 banned the blown difusser did the cars suddenly get closer on track? No. But they had lost up to 20% of thier downforce so why couldn't they get closer together? The basic proportions of the cars & wings remained the same so the level of turbulence stayed roughly the same too.

Reply
Dan
13/3/2016 09:41:35 am

What a load of rubbish

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