The FIA has confirmed, following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC), the new elimination-style qualifying format has been approved for the 2016 season.
F1’s governing body said the new system to decide the grid “should” debut at the first round of 2016 at the Albert Park Circuit in Australia.
The Strategy Group and F1 Commission recently put forward a new qualifying format to be ratified by the WMSC, but F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone said it would not be ready in time for Australian and would be delayed to Spain.
There were then reports that part of the new system would be in place for the first round, with Q3 remaining the same as previous years. However, the FIA has now confirmed the new format, although the wording of the regulations will be submitted to the Strategy Group and F1 Commission.
Here’s the FIA’s explanation of the rules:
Q1
– 16 minutes
– After 7 minutes, slowest driver eliminated
– Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag
– 7 drivers eliminated, 15 progress to Q2
Q2
– 15 minutes
– After 6 minutes, slowest driver eliminated
– Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag
– 7 drivers eliminated, 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 final elimination in each session occurs at the chequered flag – not when time is up."
The FIA also confirmed the 2017 regulations deadline has been extended to the 30 April, while the new bodywork rules have been approved.
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