F1 Qualification
The current qualifying with twenty cars entering the track at the same time on their way to a fast lap is unattractive to the public and a recipe for a major accident
Like children in line happy to be let out
The current format of qualifying willbe replaced by ultra short sprint races between two cars. These races with cars in qualifying trim, special close-up wide angle cameras will turn qualifying into a speed festival. Gone are the failed shots from helmet camera's.
Below - in short - the procedure:
In Q1, two sprint races of two laps each are held for all cars, divided into 10 pairs of 2 cars. Pairs are made based on their lap times from FP3, starting with the slowest cars.
The two lap times are averaged and count towards starting grid positions.
The 10 slowest cars occupy positions 11-20 on the starting grid in order of their average lap time.
Example of Q1 result
The 10 fastest cars advance to Q2.
In Q2, two similar sprint races over two laps are held with the remaining 10 cars in 5 pairs. The average lap time now counts for positions 1-10 on the grid.
In Q3, the two fastest cars from Q2 enter into one five-lap race. The fastest car from Q2 may choose its place on the starting grid. The winner is in pole position.
First race
1. Warm up for two-lap race
Based on lap times in FP3 - from slow to fast - the first two cars exit the pit lane and start their warm-up lap. To speed up the process, the driving direction in the pit lane is reversed.
2. Start of two-lap race
The first two cars have completed their warm-up lap and are taking their position on the grid; the second pair lines up in the pit lane. The first pair's one-lap race starts according to the existing starting procedure (red lights)
Unlike the current starting grid, the two cars are lined up next to each other on the grid:
3. Line up second pair
The first pair is past Turn 1; the second pair exits the pit lane for the warm-up lap
4. Race and warm-up
The first two cars battle in their "one-lap race"; the second pair is still in the warm-up lap
5. Finish, warm-up and line-up
The first two cars finish and enter the pit lane; the second pair still in the warm-up lap, the third pair line up in the pit lane.
Second race
Same procedure, but now the positions on the grid are reversed: "level playing field".
Q1 result
The average lap time of the two races counts towards the result.
The 10 slowest cars occupy positions 11-20 on the starting grid according to their average lap time.
The 10 fastest cars advance to Q2.
Q2 format
In Q2, two similar sprint races over two laps are held with the remaining 10 cars in 5 pairs.
The average lap time now counts for positions 1-10 on the grid.
Q3 format
6. Final five-lap race
The two fastest cars from Q2 enter in a five-lap sprint race, with the fastest car from Q2 choosing its side on the grid. This is the race for pole position.
Points system
The points system for qualifications and shoutouts is as follows:
Time schedule
To keep this "speed festival" attractive to the public, it must be performed within an acceptable time.
To avoid wasted time on outlaps, the direction of travel is reversed in the pit lane, speeding up the process and ensuring continuous action on track.
The whole process of Q1, Q2 and Q3 takes about 60 minutes, packed with action and pure racing.