Formula 1 to test revolutionary qualifying format at Imola
The qualifying experiments will be held in 2023 and soon be implemented as early as 2024 if things go well.
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Formula One. Image via F1 Chronicle
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is well known as Imola. It is named after the town where it is located. This venue has been fixed for the first Formula One qualifying experiments. This is a revised qualifying format. The Formula One race at this track, Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, will occur on 21st May.
The new format involves the drivers using Hard tyres in Q1, Medium tyres in Q2 and Soft tyres in Q3. This is just an experiment. The teams will be consulted before the confirmation. This new qualifying approach will reduce the number of tyres from 13 to 11. It aims to level the playing field.
Currently, drivers are allowed to use the tyre of their choice for qualifying except if it is a wet session. Apart from Imola, there will be another track designated for the qualifying experiment. It will be mandatory for the drivers to follow the rules and use those particular sets of tyres. The current format allows the drivers to use softs when they wish to and secure a good position for the race.
How is the new format going to help the back runners of F1?
The second qualifying experiment will most likely be held around the summer break. This was an agreement between Pirelli, the teams, the commercial rights holder and the FIA. The plan is to avail six sets of tyres for qualifying and five for practice sessions and the race. This will bring equal opportunity for the drivers.
It will be compulsory for the drivers to use the tyres allocated to them during each segment in qualifying. So the drivers will have three sets of hards, four sets of medium and four softs throughout the weekend. The teams who fail to make it to Q3 will have access to extra soft tyres for the race. This will be helpful for them in certain tracks.
This new qualifying format will take place on two tracks for the 2023 season. There is no news of other details yet. If this experiment works well and the teams are satisfied, it will be implemented as early as 2024. But, only time will tell. It will be interesting to see how things turn out. At present, the drivers pick the tyres of their choice. In the 2023 Bahrain qualifying, Charles Leclerc saved his soft tyres for the race as part of his strategy. It is uncertain how things would change with this new format.
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Sugantha Meena
(493 Articles Published)