The qualifications changed to put the show in pole position?
The Formula 1 Strategy Group, meeting this Friday in London, made a number of decisions regarding the regulations for the 2014 season. Among them, a slight modification to the qualifying format and the maintenance of the engine homologation rules.
In 2013, drivers did not always play their card during the third part of qualifying (Q3). Not always able to compete for pole position, some drivers considered it wiser to save one or more sets of new tires for the race. This situation should no longer occur in /f1/actualite/16993-le-format-des-qualifications-revu-pour-2014-.html.
Q1 offers two additional minutes to Q3
Under the auspices of the FIA, the team managers met last week in Bahrain to discuss a number of measures aimed at improving the quality of the show during qualifying. The Formula 1 strategy group, gathered this Friday in London, has just approved two changes in the format of this session. The Q1 time is reduced from 20 to 18 minutes, while the Q3 time is extended from 10 to 12 minutes, allowing drivers to have at least two fast lap attempts. An additional set of tires will be provided to them specifically for Q3, which they must return at the end of the session. No more need for saving, then.
These modifications must still be ratified by the FIA before being integrated into the F1 regulations for the first Grand Prix in Australia, with the first laps set to take place on March 14.
No change in engine homologation
Renault will be disappointed but the engine homologation rules, frozen this evening, will not be changed, despite the numerous problems encountered by the French manufacturer during the test sessions in Jerez and Bahrain. Disappointed, Bernie Ecclestone should be as well. His proposal to extend the doubling of points to the last three races of the season was rejected. Only Abu Dhabi will see this special measure applied to its Grand Prix.
