Liberty Media considers F1 'qualifying race'
- Published on 03 Apr 2018 11:03
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- By: Rob Veenstra
Liberty Media could be looking to shake up the grand prix weekend format. Auto Motor und Sport reports that a new 'qualifying race' could be held on Saturday that determines Sunday's grand prix grid. And that's not all.
The German magazine said the new weekend format will begin with a 'public technical inspection' on Friday, during which fans get to see the current cars up close. "We don't understand the whole hide-and-seek game with the cars anyway," Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said. "There are thousands of photos in circulation. That's why we can show our cars right away."
That would take place before Friday practice sessions, which determine the grid for the 100 kilometre 'qualifying race' on Saturday -- with no limits for tyre and fuel use. F1 legend Niki Lauda said: "Why don't we set a maximum length for the races? Let's say 100 or 90 minutes. "Two hour races in Singapore and Monte Carlo are hard to sell if nothing happens," he added. (GMM)
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Replies (10)
Login to replyLightIsRight
Posts: 113
Yes please, a public technical inspection would be fantastic. Have a knowledgeable engineer giving commentary and insight into it would be amazing on top of the great idea.
Qualifying race sounds interesting but how do you fairly determine the start grid for the qualifying race? I have seen the idea punted in regional race series but it never really works fairly.
Kean
Posts: 692
If you first qualify traditionally, then have a quali race I don't see how that would change anything given that it is so hard to overtake. It would only mean that there is a shake up in the starting grid due to bad luck or driver error. Add to that the restrictions on PU usage... Sorry but, I don't see the point of having a quali race under current regs and regulations.
RogerF1
Posts: 501
I agree on that point. How about a moto gp type quali? A free timed session to go out on whatever tyres or fuel load you choose and as much drs as you like over say 1 or 2 hours?
Freguz
Posts: 160
To determine the start grid for that quali race, you could just take the FP3 result list?
f1dave
Posts: 782
Liberty Media should have been made to qualify before buying F1.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
The concept is nice, but why does every organization want to "fix" the quali? Dont fix what isnt broken, and the current quali system works pretty well. More so than many of the options. I cant really recall a system sufficiently superior that its worth trying out.
f1dave
Posts: 782
Double the races with three power units, brilliant idea !
Smiler121
Posts: 53
I really do agree that the current quali system isn't broken, in fact the format itself is the best I've seen. They need to focus on improving overtaking & ability of cars to run close to each other in the races.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Exactly, focus on the real problem points. And just give them one extra engine now, 3 were too few to begin with, just drop the idea (for now at least) and move on. Chances are, that could fix most of the issues we might see this year.
Pauli
Posts: 140
Up and close on Friday? Is that going to spare car or race car?
If it is race car there is very limited time on Friday to show it because teams want to work on it too. That would mean the short viewing session would be only available for VIP tickets. But I might be ready to pay even more than current gp tickets if it included access for careful close study of race cars.