F1 to switch to 4-round knockout qualifying (2nd Update)

Ross Brawn was looking to fix what wasn't broken

UPDATE This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today.

(GMM) F1's plans to tweak the qualifying system for 2019 appear to have failed for now.

Liberty Media proposed adding a 'Q4' to the existing format, shortening all of the segments so that drivers have less time to perfect their laps.

But Auto Motor und Sport reports that the teams did not unanimously vote for the change.

"It only helps the big teams. The smaller ones need the extra time for two attempts per segment," said Sauber team manager Beat Zehnder.

However, F1 sporting boss Ross Brawn has not given up yet.

"We could not reach an agreement for next year," he said. "But the discussion has now started and we want to make sure it continues."

Hamilton's Aldo Costa car might need 4 rounds to destroy Ferrari in 2019

09/25/18 (GMM) Liberty Media could be looking at adding another segment to the current 'knockout'-style qualifying format.

Auto Motor und Sport reports that under consideration is the addition of a 'Q4' segment in order to add excitement to the Saturday session that determines the grid order.

Each of the new Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 segments would be shorter in duration, with fewer cars eliminated.

"We want qualifying to be less predictable, so that it is more likely that the strongest cars can end up in the 'wrong' positions," explained F1 sporting boss Ross Brawn.

"Perhaps by reducing the number of laps each driver can do in each segment, the teams will not be able to optimize everything as they are able to currently," he added.

"But we will act very cautiously, because the current format is popular and successful," Brawn said.

09/22/18 The shape of qualifying in Formula 1 could look very different from next year, after it was claimed that Saturday action could be split into four sessions. Auto Motor und Sport have reported that Liberty Media plans to add a Q4 to qualifying as early as 2019.

Qualifying is currently split into three sections, five drivers dropping out in Q1 and Q2 respectively before Q3 decides the order of the top 10, and pole position with it.

AMuS have reported that Q4 will decide the top eight drivers and pole position, but the make-up of the remaining sessions is yet to be determined.

Qualifying regulations were under the microscope at the Singapore Grand Prix – with the top 10's times locked according to the compound they used in Q2 at all races.

While the likes of Sergio Perez, Romain Grosjean, Esteban Ocon and Nico Hulkenberg were at risk – despite qualifying in the top 10 – as they had to start the race on the fragile hypersoft tire, while those just behind on the grid were able to run longer off the line.

Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz Jr promptly jumped from 11th and 12th on the grid to seventh and eighth at the checkered flag without breaking much of a sweat.

After finishing 15th, Grosjean said: "I think it was a frustrating race for everyone who qualified between seventh and 10th on the hypersofts.

"It was such a poor tire in the race. We did 10 laps and they completely went, while the ultrasofts did, I don’t know how many laps, 40? So, it’s almost better not to qualify in the top 10.

"Maybe we need to think about that a little bit because I felt like I pushed really hard in qualifying and in the race every single lap. I did the best I could but, in the end, I had no chance of being in the top 10."

There is no suggestion from AMuS that this regulation will be up for change if there is a change in rules next year.

The current knockout system of qualifying has been in place since 2006, save for a brief dalliance with a 'one-by-one' format in 2016 that was soon shelved after a farcical debut in Australia. gpfans