New F1 qualifying format: Lewis Hamilton fumes over proposed changes

Not happy: Lewis Hamilton
Getty
Philip Duncan25 February 2016

Lewis Hamilton has taken aim at Formula One's powerbrokers in the wake of proposed changes designed to usher in a new era for the sport.

Formula One's Strategy Group, which consists of the major teams, as well as chief executive Bernie Ecclestone and FIA president Jean Todt, met in Switzerland on Tuesday to discuss ways of spicing up the show.

A new qualifying format, which is set to be introduced for the season-opening race in Melbourne next month, as well as changes to the technical make-up for the sport, have been proposed.

But reflecting on the decisions, Hamilton, the triple world champion, said: "I don't agree with the changes that are made, and have been made for many, many years, so you just live with it.

"I think the drivers should be consulted - I am sure they have been involved more in recent decisions, maybe not the ones that have just been done - but we do have a feeling in the car, we do have some ideas of what could be better, and we know what is not good in the car.

"Some of the drivers have been driving 10 to 15 years and have been through all the different rule changes and know which ones work, and which ones didn't."

The new qualifying format, now set to be introduced in time for the Australian Grand Prix on March 20, will see the slowest drivers eliminated every 90 seconds after a timed period - rather than at the end of the three sessions - in hope of providing greater unpredictability.

Below, Standard Sport guides you through the proposal

  • Q1 will last 16 minutes with the slowest driver eliminated after seven minutes and again every 90 seconds thereafter
  • Q2 will last 15 minutes with the slowest driver eliminated after six minutes and again every 90 seconds thereafter
  • Eight drivers will remain for the final round of qualifying
  • Q3 will last 14 minutes with the slowest driver eliminated after five minutes and again every 90 seconds thereafter
  • Q3 will end when two drivers remain
  • The remaining drivers then face-off in a 90-second shootout to determine pole position

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