F1 Qualifying Format History

The aim was to mix up grid positions for the race but due to unpopularity the fia reverted to the above qualifying format for the chinese gp after running the format for only two races. Ross brawn insists that formula 1 decision makers are not looking to make changes to the format of qualifying and races for the sake of it as he responds in part to sebastian vettel calling the proposed alterations complete bullshit. Who knows but it continues the sports seemingly endless obsession with tinkering with the qualifying format over the last couple of decades.
f1 qualifying format history

From the section formula 1.

F1 qualifying format history. Formula 1 recently revealed that its looking at the possibility of introducing a qualifying race to set the grid for the main grand prix. After three years of one lap showdowns to decide the grid f1 went back to its roots with multi lap qualifying in 2006 albeit with an exciting new twist. At the beginning of the 2016 formula 1 season the fia introduced a new qualifying format whereby drivers were knocked out every 90 seconds after a certain amount of time had passed in each session. For years formula 1 qualifying was a one hour session with all the cars running simultaneously and the fastest driver taking pole position the second fastest taking the second position etc.

F1 is set to be totally revamped in 2021 with the introduction of budget caps and engine standardisation but there could be changes next year too as the. Eliminating the slowest cars in the first two sessions ensures that theres jeopardy from the start and the final q3 ten minute ten car shootout offers the promise of tension. But as there was a limit on laps and tires the fastest cars like michael schumacher in his ferrari would not go on the track at all until the last minutes then take the top positions. F1s present qualifying format was introduced in 2010 and apart from the brief elimination experiment has essentially remained the same since.

New format in place for start of 2016 season. A new three part qualifying system was drawn up with the slowest drivers being progressively eliminated from each segment until 10 are left to fight it out for pole position. Rear diffuser size reduced to limit downforce all engines now required to last two race weekends qualifying format changed to two aggregate times from saturday afternoon and sunday morning to count towards grid positions this format lasted until the european gp when qualifying reverted to a drivers fastest single lap to count from saturday afternoon qualifying further changes to dimensions of front and rear wings and nose of car to make overtaking easier restriction on tyre changes. Last updated on 4 march 2016 4 march 2016.

Updated february 22 2019. By andrew benson chief f1 writer.