One thing that I have not seen posted anywhere is the "knockout" qualifying procedure for 2010. With 20 cars on the grid last year, the number of cars "knocked out" in Q1 and Q2 was 5 each, leaving 10 to go for the pole. (Call it "5-5-10".) What is the setup with 24 cars? Is it 7-7-10? 6-6-12? 5-5-14? Or none of the above?
I can't remember where I read it, but *believe* it's going to be 7-7-10. The good news is Q3 will now be run a fumes rather than "race start load". The bad news is that the top 10 have to start the race on the tires they used in Q3. Cheers, Ian
33) QUALIFYING PRACTICE 33.1 The qualifying practice session will take place on the day before the race from 14.00 to 15.00. The session will be run as follows : a) From 14.00 to 14.20 (Q1) all cars will be permitted on the track and at the end of this period the will be prohibited from taking any further part in the session. Lap times achieved by the eighteen remaining cars will then be deleted. b) From 14.27 to 14.42 (Q2) the eighteen remaining cars will be permitted on the track and at the end of this period the slowest eight cars will be prohibited from taking any further part in the session. Lap times achieved by the ten remaining cars will then be deleted. c) From 14.50 to 15.00 (Q3) the ten remaining cars will be permitted on the track. The above procedure is based upon a Championship entry of 26 cars. If 24 cars are entered seven will be excluded after Q1 and Q2 and if 22 cars are entered only six cars will be excluded after Q1 and Q2. 33.2 Any driver whose car stops on the circuit during the qualifying session will not be permitted to take any further part in the session. Any car which stops on the circuit during the qualifying session, and which is returned to the pits before the end of the session, will be held in parc fermé until the end of the session.
They are now, but not last season when they had to qualify on race-start fuel levels. We typically saw the fastest laps in Q2
So with 24 cars it will be 7-7-10, and if we ever make it to 26 cars it will be 8-8-10. I also heard that there was some discussion of bringing back the 30-minute Sunday-morning warmup, so that the teams could run on full tanks for the first time before the race itself. Sounds like a good idea, but if they do that, to keep the track from getting too crowded, I'd propose two 15-minute sessions, one for the back-half of the grid and the other for the front-half.
I miss the Sunday warm up - When did they stop doing it? [When refueling was allowed?] However, I'm sure their "programs" on Friday will include running heavy. Whatever, we're about to find out! At last! Cheers, Ian
Killjoy!...... I can tune it out pretty well - I haven't heard their "tires & the green stripe" nausea in seasons! Cheers, Ian
So let me get this straight. All 3 qualis will be run on fumes? But those who goes into Q3, maintains the same tyre they used for the quali, and will start the race on the same tyres?
Yes. The ones they used in Q3 - They can run others in Q1 & Q2. [Anyone outside of the top 10 can start on whatever they want btw.] Cheers, Ian
More correctly, I should have said "the ones on which they set their fastest time in Q3" - They'll often use more than one set in Q3 IIRC. Cheers, Ian
Thanks. I just watched the pre season thing from another thread, interview with DC, Martin Brundle and EJ. I never knew there's a slight disadvantage if you qualified 10 compared if you qualified 11th.
Given the how long engines and transmissions have to last these days I don't see the teams putting any "extra" miles on the cars.
If you shred your tyres setting the fasted time the driver will be in the pits PDQ after the start. or can you set your quickest lap time and duck in the pits for new rubber??
I believe that's certainly possible. He's then got 2 more sets (one of which must be different to the other two) at his disposal for the remainder of the race. I *believe* (but can't recall why) you start on the tires on which you turned your best time. [For the top 10.] However, having said that, I haven't checked the FIA site, and it may be possible that "you start on the tires you finished Q3"..... Hmmm..... Cheers, Ian
No! - From the FIA: I was right for once! I didn't however know the total had been reduced from 14 to 11.... Maybe Sauber has a bigger advantage than was thought?..... Cheers, Ian
Eddy Irvine said in an interview on another post (BBC F1) It is unfair for the car qualified 10th to start on old tyres when 11th gets a new set, bloody good point..
Cars that didn't make it into Q3 in past seasons had flexibility with fuel. Now they have it with tires. Not a big change.
