2016 F1 qualifying regulations to be changed

Following the meeting in Geneva on Tuesday, the FIA has announced its decision of implementing a new elimination style qualifying starting this season. This new regulation was unanimously voted for including the new cockpit safety measures for 2017, however the revision of other regulations has been postponed until the end of April. 

The FIA has supported the changes in these regulations subsequent to some intense meetings between the F1 Strategy Group and the F1 Commission. The most interesting change for this season though will be elimination style qualifying. The sport will continue to have three qualifying sessions with Q1 now lasting 16 minutes and Q2 and Q3 for 15 and 14 minutes respectively. 

After the first 7 minutes in Q1, the slowest driver will be eliminated and subsequently each driver will be eliminated after every 1 minute 30 seconds. Q2 and Q3 will also follow a similar format although the elimination will only commence after 6 minutes and 5 minutes respectively. After all the eliminations only two drivers will be left at the end of the final 1 minute 30 seconds. In each of the sessions, the elimination will occur at the chequered flag, rather than when the time is up.

Another new feature for the 2016 season will be the introduction of the Driver of the Day. Fans will be able to vote online for their favourite driver and based on these votes the Driver of the Day will be announced. These drivers can be chosen regardless of their finishing position. The Driver of the Day will receive an award at the end of each race, however, it hasn’t yet been decided what the prize will be.