Quali Overhaul

Qualifying to be revamped

F1 has held three-part knockout qualifying sessions since 2006, and while the structure of Q1, Q2 and Q3 sessions will be retained, there will be more regular eliminations during the hour of running.

Under the proposal, Q1 would last for 16 minutes and after seven minutes the slowest driver would be knocked out and forced to return to the pit lane. Six more drivers would then be eliminated at 90-second intervals before the session concluded.
With 15 drivers left in the running, a 15-minute Q2 session would then take place with the next slowest driver knocked out after six minutes followed by four more at 90-second intervals.

Eight rather than 10 drivers would then take part in the final Q3 session to determine pole position. This phase would increase from 10 to 14 minutes in length but the driver with the slowest time would be eliminated after five minutes and then one more every 90 seconds.

The fastest two drivers would then be left to contest pole in the final minute and a half of the session.

"The idea really is that it will be the same as qualifying in wet conditions," said F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. "Maybe one or two of the hot-shoes aren't going to make it [to the front]. So we won't see the obvious on the front of the grid."

Link: http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/10179357/f1-qualifying-set-for-2016-shake-up-with-more-regular-eliminations