f1---------12 lap qual...

countygorey

i think the old 12 lap system was better in f1

mickdw

It was not bad but if it was used now, the serious players would still probably only do one run and save tyres.

Cookie_Monster

the problem with that was you often got 45 mins of nothing and then a crazy 15 mins at the end.

I actually like the current format. Tyre choice ruins q3 though to a certain extent, quali and race tyres need to be entirely separate.

I'd also like to see a couple of points for pole, maybe 2.

frostie500

I actually wrote about this on my website about a month ago. As far as I can see there is a simple solution to the Q3 conundrum at present:

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The use of highly degrading Pirelli tyres in 2011 has guaranteed exciting racing throughout the season but as the year has progressed midfield teams have adjusted their qualifying strategies.

At Suzuka the recent tactics of Sauber, ForceIndiaand Renault came to a head and four drivers failed to set a time in the third and final qualifying session. With teams forced to start the race on the set of tyres it sets its qualifying time on it is hard to criticise teams for looking to start the race on a fresh set of tyres so as not to lose the strategic edge over their competitors but it has given rise to an empty track during the final ten minutes of qualifying sessions in recent races.

The criticism of fans has not however fallen on deaf ears and the FIA recognises that a change needs to be made so as to ensure excitement when the leading grid positions are decided. There has been a wide range of suggestions of how to “improve the show” with leading lights such as former Jordan and Jaguar Technical Director Gary Anderson writing that he would like to see a variation of the 107% time implemented in Q2 and Q3 to ensure teams are forced onto the track in final qualifying.

There have been other suggestions that teams failing to set a time should be given grid penalties for their refusal to set a time in the final session but this would lead to issues if, for example, a car developed a mechanical problem and made it impossible for a driver to set a time.

Lots of the solutions have been offered by leading lights within the sport and they are logical and could work but as far as I can see there is a much simpler solution to the problem. The main issue for teams is that they need to start the race on the tyres with which they set their fastest Q3 time. If the FIA removed this stipulation and gave all Q3 drivers one extra set of option tyres, that needed to be used in Q3, teams would be forced into action and fans would see a full track throughout the final ten minutes with all drivers likely to complete two single flying lap efforts.

With ten drivers in the final session Pirelli would be forced to bring an extra 40 option tyres to the weekend, hardly a huge undertaking or costly activity, and the issues that have blighted recent qualifying sessions would be instantly removed.

amacachi

It's fine as it it. It's not as though anyone with a chance of pole is choosing to not set a time, I don't get the need to "improve the show".