F1
A brief look into the proposed rule changes that are starting to shake things up in Formula 1.
The hot topic coming into the 2016 Formula 1 season is the introduction of multiple new regulations that are shaking up the testing period as the first GP of the season in Melbourne quickly approaches. The new “elimination” qualifying format, wherein drivers will be periodically eliminated throughout the three qualifying sessions, is probably the most talked about in the paddock at the Barcelona tests this week, and not far behind that is the new driver cockpit protection on the cars.
The elimination qualifying:
23 cars will start Q1, which will run for 16 minutes total. After seven minutes, the slowest driver is eliminated, and pulled off the track. Every 90 seconds after that, the slowest driver on track is eliminated until the checkered flag, taking a total of seven drivers out before the checkered flag flies and sending 15 drivers to Q2.
Q2 runs the same format as Q1, except for 15 minutes, with elimination starting after six minutes on track. Again, seven cars are eliminated.
Q3 then runs on the normal format, albeit with eight cars (rather than the usual 10) on the track for the duration of the 14-minute session. Though with the originally proposed change, Q3 would again run elimination style, leaving only two cars on the track for the final 90 seconds of the session.
It’s a bit of a head-turner from the FIA. The main complaint surrounding the new qualifying format is that there was nothing wrong with the old format, where the slowest drivers out of two sessions were still dropped, but only after the checkers flew. The adage “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” has been circulating conversations throughout the F1 world since the rule was proposed. Drivers met with FIA officials this week, and though there are no direct quotes from what was said behind the closed doors, the general consensus seems to be that the racers are not satisfied with the format change. Reigning champ Lewis Hamilton explained that he feels that F1 is broken and lacking direction, and alluded to MotoGP being a much more stable and well-run series.
The current status of the new regulations coming into round one in Melbourne seems to be completely up in the air, although reports suggest that it will be implemented as planned for Q1 and Q2. Considering the backlash it is having right now as the opening race rapidly approaches, there’s a good chance that will be tweaked and adjusted in order to quell at least some of the discontent among the ranks.
Update (3/10): As of March 10, the elimination qualifying format has been unanimously approved by teams, meaning that all three qualifying sessions will employ the new regulation at the first GP in Australia. So yes, there will only be two cars on the track when the checkers fly in Q3.
New driver protection:
The FIA has also mentioned plans to improve driver safety on track with the installation of head protection on the cars. While designs are still being tested and adjusted, there has been an outpouring of mixed emotions:
"Please no! This is the worst looking mod in Formula 1 history."
Seen above is Ferrari's halo concept. Kimi Raikkonen claimed after a brief test this week that the design was "OK" and could be improved, but it's pretty clear that it in some way has to obstruct the view of the racer. However miniscule, at the speeds of F1, any impediment on driver vision will have an effect. Red Bull Racing has plans to test an alternative "Batmobile-style" open-canopy, essentially just a beefed-up windscreen, which would have little, if any effect on a driver's view of the track. Red Bull's team prinicipal Christian Horner expressed his distaste for the halo-styling used by Ferrari, so don't count on the cars of Daniel Ricciardo or Daniil Kyvat to resemble what we have seen already.
There’s still no official word when the new rules will be implemented, although the consensus seems to be that we can expect the changes at some point in the 2016 season.
