Auto-Racing @ MieNet: New Formula One Qualifying Format intruduced during the2004 Season

The 2004 Season F1fan-eBook

New Qualifying Format

for Formula One Racing

(originally to be introduced at the British Grand Prix)

The new Qualifying format, to be introduced at the British Grand Prix, is likely to feature two 25-minute sessions separated by a ten-minute break.

This is a development from the initially announced two 20-minute sessions.

Only at the end of June, however, when a meeting of the World Motorsport Council is scheduled to take place, the definite Qualifying format for Formula One Racing will be officially announced.

Update following a meeting of the Formula One Commission, on Monday, June 28, 2004, at Heathrow Airport (London):

The new Qualifying format has been vetoed!
That is to say, Qualifying remains the very same throughout this Season.

Here are some of the arguments reportedly leading to scrapping the proposed changes:

some teams and sponsors were concerned about a lack of television coverage, as bigger teams would naturally enjoy greater focus, during the two 25-minute sessions;

the proposed change was not much different from the Qualifying format used up to 2002;

the introduction of mid-season changes could be tricky in more than one area (TV broadcasts included);

Paul Stoddart was reportedly worried about a return of the 107% rule (i.e., cars outside 107% of pole time fail to qualify), for fear that it would be difficult to achieve a mark within that margin in certain GP's;