Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has criticised the current Formula 1 qualifying format, deeming it “obsolete” and advocating for a switch to a single-lap system.
Photo Credit: Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team
The Aston Martin F1 Team driver’s comments have come in response to the FIA’s adjustments to the rules for this year’s qualifying sessions, including the Singapore Grand Prix, held in September.
According to Motorsport.com, during the drivers’ briefing on that Friday night, it was unanimously decided to eliminate the usual maximum lap time requirement between the safety car lines in qualifying. It was brought back in at Suzuka.
Typically, drivers are required to adhere to an upper time limit for both their in and out-lap, or else they are considered to have driven “unnecessarily slowly.” However, due to concerns that this restriction would negatively impact tyre preparation and the belief that there was enough track space to avoid traffic issues in Singapore, the drivers opted to remove this clause.
Despite these changes, there was still a scramble for track position at the end of Q1, with Max Verstappen being cleared of impeding Williams’ rookie Logan Sargeant due to the congested track conditions.
Alonso contends that this incident highlights the inadequacy of the three-stage qualifying format that was originally introduced in 2006. He believes that drivers will continue to challenge the rules, and stated, “It is difficult to handle, I think. Whatever [the FIA] do, we will find a way to sail that kind of rule. They have a very difficult job in terms of managing traffic on street circuits and things like that.”
Alonso is advocating for a return to the single-lap qualifying system, similar to what was used previously in 2003. He argues that this is the only viable solution, saying, “I have said many times that there is only one way to find a solution which is single-lap qualifying.
“I think this qualifying format is obsolete.”
“It has been the same for 20-25 years [sic], but the cars are not the same. We have hybrid engines, we have to charge [the battery], we have to cool the tyres, so the only way to go forward is one lap.”
Whilst the current three-stage format has served the sport well for years, Alonso is proposing that it’s perhaps time to consider a return to the single-lap showdowns that once defined the sport.
