F1 qualifying: Promoters wanted shake-up to improve the show
McLaren racing director Eric Boullier believes Formula 1's new qualifying format will produce "unpredictability" and place more pressure on drivers and teams
Following meetings of the Strategy Group and F1 Commission in Geneva on Tuesday it was decided qualifying would be given an overhaul.
Autosport understands the teams decided to make the changes in the wake of a request from the promoters to help improve the show.
The end result is a knock-out style set-up where through each of the three qualifying sessions the slowest driver will be eliminated after numerous time intervals.
The finer details regarding tyre and fuel use are now in the hands of FIA technical director Charlie Whiting ahead of the system's planned introduction at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
Boullier told Autosport: "Everybody has an opinion, pros and cons, which is fine, and in the end we have to sometimes listen to the commercial rights holder [Bernie Ecclestone] and keep the DNA of F1, but also to make it better.
"I don't think there is such a big change in the qualifying format, except that it will create a little more unpredictability.
"If a driver makes a mistake then he is going to pay the price straight away because if you do not set a lap time at the right time then you can be out, wherever you are."
Boullier feels for the majority of the time the dominant force in Mercedes will continue to claim pole, although with the likelihood of the odd upset now and again.
"There is going to be more pressure on the drivers, but more pressure on the team as well," added Boullier.
"If your car is degrading its tyres then while you may be quickest after seven minutes, you may only be third fastest at the end of the session and so you miss pole.
"So as I say, it's going to create unpredictability, but at the end the best car and driver will be at the front, the worst at the back.
"There may be times, though, when Mercedes will miss pole, which will be good for the show."
Previous article
Mercedes alters F1 testing plans due to 'unprecedented mileage'
Next article
F1 considers removing fuel capacity limit for 2017
How F1’s other champion to emerge from 1991 thrived at Lotus
Mika Hakkinen became Michael Schumacher’s biggest rival in Formula 1 in the late-90s and early 2000s, having also made his F1 debut in 1991. But as MARK GALLAGHER recalls, while Schumacher wowed the world with a car that was eminently capable, Hakkinen was fighting to make his mark with a famous team in terminal decline
The forgotten F1 comeback that began Jordan’s odyssey
Before Michael Schumacher – or anyone else – had driven the 191 (or 911 as it was initially called), Eddie Jordan turned to a fellow Irishman to test his new Formula 1 car. JOHN WATSON, a grand prix winner for Penske and McLaren, recalls his role in the birth of a legend…
The squandered potential of a 70s F1 underdog
A podium finisher in its first outing but then never again, the BRM P201 was a classic case of an opportunity squandered by disorganisation and complacency, says STUART CODLING
The other notable Monza escape that F1 should learn from
OPINION: The headlines were dominated by the Italian Grand Prix crash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who had the halo to thank for avoiding potentially serious injury. But two days earlier, Formula 1 had a lucky escape with a Monza pitlane incident that could also have had grave consequences
How Monza only added more questions to F1's sprint race conundrum
With two sprint races under its belt, Formula 1 must now consider its options for them going forward. While they've helped deliver exciting racing on Sundays, the sprints themselves have been somewhat lacking - creating yet another conundrum for F1 to solve...
Who should Alfa Romeo sign for 2022's F1 season?
OPINION: With Valtteri Bottas already signed up for 2022, all eyes are on the race for the second seat at Alfa Romeo next year. Antonio Giovinazzi is the current incumbent, but faces a tough competition from appealing short and long-term prospects
The "forced break" that was key to Ricciardo's Monza excellence
OPINION: Daniel Ricciardo has long been considered one of Formula 1’s elite drivers. But his struggles at McLaren since switching from Renault for 2021 have been painful to watch at times. Yet he’s recovered to banish those memories with a famous Monza win – built on a critically important foundation
How Verstappen is ruining his F1 title battle with Hamilton
OPINION: The Italian GP clash between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen followed a running theme in the 2021 Formula 1 title fight. Their close-quarters battles have often resulted in contact - and although Hamilton has shown a willingness to back off, Verstappen must learn to temper his aggression
