Press Releases - Formula 1: Qualifying Still Random

Formula 1: Qualifying Still Random

Formula 1: Qualifying Still Random

There have only been four rounds of qualifying, but I think it's already safe to say, that despite the changes, nothing has actually changed when it comes to Formula 1 qualifying.


Cars sophistication’s influence is way too small. This hidden parameter should have made it more difficult to reach the perfect setup, however it’s still too easy to get perfect setup using just one set of hard tyres and four sets of intermediate tyres.


The effect of modified car difficulty calculation is also negligible. This was introduced to lower the number of errors on track and thus make qualifying less random. I know that sample size is still small, but after four qualifying rounds most of us have an impression that qualifying is still too random.

Even if we look at the numbers there is basically no difference.

In season 35 there were 166 clean out of 240 qualifying laps (69,2%). In season 36 this percentage has dropped slightly to 68,8% (165 out of 240).

In season 35 drivers made 81 small, 5 medium and 1 big mistake. The numbers in season 36 have dropped slightly to 76 small, 7 medium and 2 big mistakes.


If you ask me the main problem with random qualifying is that time gaps between cars of different quality are too small, so any mistake can have a dire consequence.

From season 25 onwards it has become more and more difficult to build a top-quality car. Back than in was possible to build an A+ car, now that is not possible any more. Most of new rules were also introduced to help less successful teams and with the gaps has shrunk even further.

I am doubtful that 2 laps per attempt will work either, so in my opinion only 2 attempts per round will bring a bit of stability with these set of rules. The other option is to widen the time gap between cars.


But I don't want to be all negative, so I would like to add that I really like how the other changes work.

on 2020-02-17 10:59:56 by torbar4life