More FIA fiddling - qualifying shakeup for 2014
Discussion
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112434
Autosport said:
Formula 1 teams and the FIA are to discuss plans for an immediate shake-up of qualifying rules to boost the spectacle, AUTOSPORT can reveal.
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.
Under the current rules, the top 10 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 10 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 10 drivers to complete two timed qualifying runs.
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.
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.
Under the current rules, the top 10 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 10 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 10 drivers to complete two timed qualifying runs.
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.
Panda76 said:
I agree with all of it, Q3 last season was often a piss take. I would even go so far as to say those who don't run forfeit all of quali and go to the back of grid/pit lane.
Add on having to serve a 10 second stop/go penalty at the end of lap 1, and I think the problem could be eliminated without the need for changing the tyre rules.The impression I got last week was that tyres are no longer a big issue. (Assuming that the construction is not ill-conceived like they were at the start of last year). The lap times are much slower. I appreciate that this may change after Bahrain, but also cite the TV interview with Nico Rosberg where he suggested "we will be doing one, or two stops less this year" I.e. One stopping. Did anyone notice the piece in Autosport claiming that drivers were complaint about the cars being too slow in corners.
I believe that most of the race will be run as a fuel economy run and only when the team / driver knows they have sufficient fuel for a flat out run to the end will they really start to race - think tactics in distance running in Athletics.
This rule change is probably needed because pole and grid position will become less important, so why stress your equipment unnecessarily, if you do not have to. A few points for pole would provide better motivation.
I believe that most of the race will be run as a fuel economy run and only when the team / driver knows they have sufficient fuel for a flat out run to the end will they really start to race - think tactics in distance running in Athletics.
This rule change is probably needed because pole and grid position will become less important, so why stress your equipment unnecessarily, if you do not have to. A few points for pole would provide better motivation.
rdjohn said:
A few points for pole would provide better motivation.
The cars sitting out Q3 weren't in the running for pole. It was the cars who would be in the back half of the top 10, where it was better to start P10 with fresher tyres than P8 with a qualifying lap taken out of them.Bernie's next brainwave: points for qualifying seventh in order to stop the "farce".
Crafty_ said:
Sounds like it should work. I don't see the problem with having a qualifying tyre either, just let them run as hard as they possibly can to set the grid.
+1I don't think points should be awarded for quali, it would have put vettel even further ahead, that wouldn't have been fun. Just go with a tyre and let them go hard, isn't that what quali all about!??
Why not give all the teams a qualifying tyre and they can use it whenever they want. It then means it's another tactical decision on when they want to use it. It means the teams at the back of the grid could bolt it on and get closer to the midfield teams. The tyre would only be 0.5 of a second quicker though or less just so it makes it interesting not too easy to beat the faster cars.
Scuffers said:
How about just losing the stupid tyres, introduce another manufacturer, and let them make what they want?
Another manufacturer isn't needed. Pirelli (barring structural failures) did exactly what was asked of them. The problem is with the FIA and a lack of technical understanding.
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