More qualifying time in 2002

Motorsport's legislative body, the FIA World Council, met this week and passed the motion on the F3000 International Championship, which supports Formula 1 Grands Prix. Instead of two 45 minute sessions, there will now be one of 40 minutes, followed by another of one hour's duration.

The teams have also been pleased by the decision to run the sessions earlier in the day. This year, the sessions did not start until 4.15pm on the Friday of GP meetings. Now the sessions will run from 2.30-3.00pm and 3.30-4.30pm.

Derek Mower, the boss of champion team Nordic Racing, said: "We asked if we could put the sessions forward and they have obviously listened to us. That is good for the teams and the longer qualifying session will give new drivers more time to learn the circuits."

Arden Team Russia boss Christian Horner welcomed the move too, but suggested a change of format. "It would be good to make the 40 minute session free practice and then have the hour as qualifying. Then it would be more like Formula 1 and would still be easier for new drivers."

The calendar for next year has also been published and includes the same 12 rounds that were run this season. The teams were surprised that Interalgos in Brazil, F3000's only race outside of Europe, has been included for the second year running.

Mower said: "I am surprised, but pleased also. Some teams were saying they couldn't afford it, but apparently it wasn't a snag afterall. It's a lot of aggravation going over there, but they did a bloody good job for us last year. It's good for the Brazilian drivers and brings a bit of glamour to the championship."

A new Lola chassis will be introduced for next year and the world council published the technical regulation changes which will make the car closer to the specification of F1. Bodywork, cockpit and chassis dimensions will be the same as GP cars, as will the size of the wheels. Suspension symmetry requirements will also be identical.

Safety measures have been improved, with greater load tests and driver protection. Larger cockpit mirrors should also improve rearward viewing.


March 30 Sao Paulo (Brazil)
Imola (San Marino) *
Barcelona (Spain)
Spielberg (Austria)
Monaco (Monte Carlo)
Nurburgring (Germany)
Silverstone (Britain)
Magny-Cours (France)
Hockenheim (Germany)
Hungaroring (Hungary)
Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)
Monza (Italy) *

* = Subject to commercial agreement