Stoddart: Drivers' Proposal Unrealistic
Minardi chief Paul Stoddart believes the qualifying format proposed by the Formula One drivers may not be workable within the coverage time allotted by television stations
The drivers met with FIA president Max Mosley two weeks ago and presented a suggestion for qualifying which they stated they were all united behind.
The proposal includes a return to low-fuel running, but also stipulates that drivers will have a chance for a second flying lap - all within the one-hour session on Saturday.
The proposal was introduced to all team principals in a fax by Mosley, ten days ago, who said that if the drivers' format gains the teams' support, the FIA will prepare a detailed plan of how to fit the session into one hour.
However, Stoddart believes this will prove unrealistic. "I don't see how it will fit into an hour", the Australian told Autosport magazine.
"With a contractual requirement as we have for 12 minutes' advertising breaks per session, that leaves us with 48 minutes in reality to fit all this in, and that starts to look very congested.
"At one or two of the longer tracks, like Spa or Monza, it'll be hard to find time for everyone to do a lap. Broadcasters have always demanded that qualifying fits into a one-hour format."
Share Or Save This Story
Silverstone to continue hosting MotoGP's British GP after new deal
Should the algorithms in F1 power units be banned? FIA explains why it won’t work
Mercedes "closely monitoring" upgrades for the rest of F1 2026
How the McLaren MP4/8B's engine blow-up changed F1 history
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments