The format of the sprint qualifications was slightly modified

The FIA, International Automobile Federation, has just announced in a statement that the rule for the sprint qualifying has changed. Drivers will no longer be obliged to start Q3 of the sprint qualifying with new soft tires. The objective of this rule change was to ensure that the ten drivers in the last qualifying session could be on an equal footing. They will now be able to use either new or used tires if they don’t want to deplete their tire stock for the race.

During the sprint format weekends, the qualification system has changed for this 2023 season. The FIA, in agreement with the teams, has introduced a special qualification on Saturday morning for the Saturday afternoon sprint race. Each qualification session (Q1, Q2, and Q3) is done with different tires, unlike the regular qualification where the choice of tires is up to the drivers and teams.

Therefore, for the Q1 sprint, the first qualifying session eliminating the last five drivers, the drivers are required to set their timed laps on hard tires (tires with a white stripe).

For the Q2 sprint, the system is exactly the same. The cars have 15 minutes to set the fastest time, and this time the medium tires (yellow-banded tires) must be used. At the end of this timer, only the top ten times will qualify for the Q3.

The third qualifying session brings together the ten fastest drivers on one lap. This final session determines the order on the starting grid and who will start in pole position for the race. For this last qualifying session, the soft tires (tires with a red stripe) are used.

This new rule was implemented to avoid unintended consequences. During the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Lando Norris had to take part in the final session of the Shootout sprint with intermediate tires. The McLaren driver did not have any new soft tires to participate, as required by the regulations.

To avoid this situation again, the FIA has decided, in agreement with the teams, to change this rule. Starting from the Austrian Grand Prix, the ten drivers qualified for the final session of the Shootout will be able to use any soft tire. New or used.

After consultation, nine teams voted in favour of this change. Only one opposed it.

The Red Bull Ring will have a sprint race this Saturday starting at 4pm.