The FIA have approved Formula One’s new elimination-style qualifying in its original form and it will be introduced the first race of the season in Melbourne on March 18 to 20.
The new qualifying structure will go ahead at the first race despite mounting concerns over the software needed to use such a system and the confusion the new system may cause amongst drivers, engineers and fans.
Ferrari’s chairman Sergio Marchionne even called for the new structure to be looked at further claiming he wasn’t sure Ferrari could accept this new idea.
Bernie Ecclestone had claimed the software to make this work would not be ready until the Spanish Grand Prix but according to sources, FOM (Formula One Management) have since informed Ecclestone it will be ready in time for the race at Albert Park in two weeks time.
As it stands three qualifying periods will remain, Q1 will run for 16 minutes, with the slowest car eliminated after seven minutes, and then every 90 seconds thereafter until 15 cars remain to head into Q2.
Q2 will run for 15 minutes, and will follow the same process as Q1, the first driver will be eliminated after six minutes until eight cars remain.
Q3 will run for 14-minutes, the first driver will be knocked out after five minutes, the session will then continue to eliminate a driver every 90 seconds until only the man on pole position is left standing.
The position each car is eliminated is the position they will start the race on Sunday.
