FIA clarifies F1 qualifying regulations

Under the new regulations, a driver will have 30 seconds once shown the green light to start his out-lap. Any driver that fails to leave the pits in this time, or stops on his out-lap will not be permitted to take any further part in the qualifying session, and will have to start from the back of the grid.

The FIA has also stated that any driver who deliberately stops on the circuit or attempts to impede another driver will have his qualifying time cancelled by the stewards.

However, the regulations make no mention of the 107 per cent qualifying rule, which stated that any driver who failed to set a qualifying time within 107 per cent of the pole position time would not be permitted to start the race. This means that drivers who make mistakes on their one qualifying lap will not face the prospect of being prevented from starting the race.

The new qualifying regulations:
Cars may line-up in the fast lane of the pits no more than five minutes before they are due to start their qualifying run.
Each driver will be given 30 seconds to join the track, signalled by the pit exit light turning green.
The 6th, 11th and 16th cars to qualifying will be shown the green light once the previous car has returned to the pits. This is to allow for television advertising breaks.
As each driver starts his flying lap, the pit exit light will be turned green for 30 seconds for the next car to qualify.
Any driver who fails to leave the pits within the allotted 30 seconds will not be permitted to take any further part in the qualifying session.
If a car stops on its out lap, the driver will not be able to take any further part in the qualifying session. The green light for the next car will be shown once the stopped car is in a safe place.
If a car stops on its flying lap red flags will be displayed around the circuit and the other car on track on its out-lap must enter the pits. The driver who has stopped will not be permitted to take any further part in the qualifying session.
Any car returning to the pits without completing three laps will not be permitted to join the track again, unless the car was required to return to the pits for a red flag.
If, in the opinion of the steward, a driver deliberately stops on the circuit or impeded another driver in any way, his qualifying time from the session will be cancelled.
If one or more car fail to record a time during the first session on Friday, they will start their second qualifying session laps in the reverse order of the first session.
If one or more cars fail to record a time during the second session on Saturday, they will start the race in second session order reversed.
All cars entering the pits after completing three laps will be required to stop in the weighing area for technical checks, before being moved to the central FIA parc ferme area.