Following a meeting of the F1 Commission on Tuesday in Geneva it was announced there would be a new elimination-style qualifying session in 2016. The FIA has now published the details of the proposal, which is being evaluated but is due to be in place at the Australian Grand Prix next month.
“A new qualification format was unanimously accepted by the F1 Commission,” the FIA explained. “The new system is being evaluated for introduction, potentially as soon as the beginning of the 2016 season.
“The basis of the new elimination format is as follows:
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.”