Formula 1 teams set to reject aggregate qualifying proposal By Ian Parkes @ianparkesf1 Published on Thursday April 7th 2016 Formula 1 teams set to reject aggregate qualifying proposal - F1 - Autosport Formula 1's teams appear poised to reject the aggregate qualifying system in Thursday's vote, Autosport understands. The proposal for the new format came following a meeting of the 11 teams, FIA president Jean Todt, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery in the paddock ahead of last Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix. An evaluation process of the system has since been carried out, but sources have confirmed to Autosport the teams are against the suggested set-up. They are not alone as some drivers have also voiced their objections. Four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel led the chorus of disapproval by describing aggregate qualifying as "a **** idea", adding that "it's time to go to the circus". Fans have also added their voice, with numerous polls showing even the current unpopular elimination format to be ahead of the aggregate proposition. The idea would involve drivers' two best laptimes being combined to reach an aggregate, and would apply to all of Q1, Q2 and Q3. Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo stated: "Qualifying is one lap, that one perfect lap." Aggregate qualifying was previously introduced in 2005, with one lap conducted on low fuel on Saturday, and the other on Sunday with a race-fuel load. It proved a disaster on that occasion and lasted only six races before it was scrapped. The teams are pushing for a return to the qualifying method that was in place from 2006 to 2015, with the aim for evaluations to be conducted over the remainder of this season before the potential introduction of a new format in 2017. A heavily political battle is being waged on this divisive topic between the teams in one corner, and the FIA and Ecclestone in the other. Todt and Ecclestone are of the opinion there is no going back to the former system, and have so far refused to put it back on the table to be voted on. They are of the belief that as the teams voted for the current knockout scheme then they have to live with it, or come up with an alternative recommendation. At this stage, with deeply entrenched positions on both sides, it appears elimination qualifying will be in place for the Chinese Grand Prix, unless one side or the other makes a late shift in position.
That's fine. I'll continue to skip qualifying this year. I suggest others do the same as poor ratings($) is the only thing they care about.
They can adopt any system, as far as I am concerned, as long as the fastest driver gets the pole. Reverse grid is a definite No No in my book.
Anything that artificially can limit the guy who is fastest from pole then down the grid is BS. The best should be the best period. As much as I'm sick of Merc's dominance, I'd rather have 5 more years of them as 1-2 then install anything that's an artificial handicap to hurt their chances. This is racing after all.
The one thing they could do to make it work would be to at least change the rule to the countdown clock of 90 seconds. As long as the drivers are on the track when that clock starts, no matter where they are on the track they can do another lap. So even if it hits zero before they've come all the way around, they are out on track and can do one more lap. Most drivers aren't going to improve much if they're towards the bottom anyway, but at least they have the chance to improve. I specify being out on track as opposed to in the pits. If you're in the pits when that timer starts, you're SOL. Once the actual qualifying clock stops then you are where you are.
Likely been discussed on other threads but why on Earth is F-1 constantly meddling with the qualifying procedure? They had what seemed like the perfect way with Q1, Q2, Q3, why keep adding artificial drama? BHW
Bahrain is the last race I watch this season. Will resume to just reading fchat banter for key updates like last year, was way more entertained and still able to get a good night's rest to boot. Win-win.
I believe the circuits asked for something to 'spice up' qualy in an attempt to get more folks to attend on Saturday. And this nonsense is what the powers that be came up with. OK, they tried. And completely failed. I thought they were unanimous after Aus they'd revert back, but seems Bernie & Todt aren't even offering that possibility. No idea why. Cheers, Ian
For Bernie it's keeping F1 in the papers with all the controversy (working on the old: "No publicity is bad publicity!" theory ), which he likes. For Todt, it's become a personal battle to stamp his authority back on the sport and put the teams and drivers in their place. Neither are listening to what the teams want, what the drivers want, or what the fans want though! It's become such a personal battle that they don't seem to care about the damage that it's doing to the sport. At the end of the day, Bernie thinks he should have total control of F1, Jean Todt thinks the FIA should have total control over F1, and the teams and drivers think that they should have control over F1 - A case of "Too many cooks......." if ever there was one!
Pretty much the same report at Autosport; Fingers crossed!..... I honestly can't recall the last time all 11 teams agreed on anything, so this is kind of a big deal! Cheers, Ian F1 reverts to old qualifying format from Chinese Grand Prix - F1 - Autosport
The real solution - is a special qualifying tire with a compound that has a higher temperature fall off threshold than grip threshold. This would make it to a team's advantage to stay on track running lap after lap. So long as you run a tire that falls apart when pushed, and require the team to start the race on the tire they qualify, you will continue to have one lap sessions. The extra wear on the limited engine supply is also a contributing factor.
Yep. They want the teams to entertain the public for 60 minutes, but they have to save their tyres and their engines!
