Hamilton unhappy at proposed F1 qualifying changes

Philip Duncan 05:58 25/02/2016
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Unimpressed: Hamilton.

    World champion Lewis Hamilton has hit out at Formula One powerbrokers after plans including a new qualifying format were revealed.

    Speaking hours after world motor sport’s governing body the FIA announced a revamp of qualifying which is likely to be introduced for the upcoming season, as well as several proposed updates to the 2017 rulebook, Hamilton also claimed the sport has been making the wrong choices for years.

    The revamped qualifying will still be split into three sessions.

    The opening stint, Q1, will last for 16 minutes, and after the first seven minutes, the slowest drivers will be eliminated at 90-second intervals until 15 remain.

    Those left will all progress to Q2, which runs for 15 minutes, and the elimination process will begin again after six minutes of the session until eight drivers are left standing.

    The same format will be repeated in Q3, a 14-minute session to determine who starts on pole. The knock-out phase will start after five minutes.

    The FIA also revealed the new bodywork regulations which have been adopted to make the cars more exciting for 2017. These include wider tyres and bigger wings to create additional downforce and a greater challenge for the drivers.

    “I don’t agree with the changes that are made, and have been made for many, many years, so you just live with it,” said Hamilton, who claimed the drivers had not been consulted about the proposed new rules.

    He added: “I would say that is a bad thing. I think the drivers should be consulted – I am sure they have been involved more in recent decisions, maybe not the ones that have just been done – but we do have a feeling in the car, we do have some ideas of what could be better, and we know what is not good in the car.

    “Some of the drivers have been driving 10 to 15 years, and have been through all the different rule changes and know which ones worked, and which ones didn’t. We need some more battles. I don’t know what the answer is but whatever the decisions they have been making, they have not been working for some time.”

    Formula One’s strategy group, which consists of the major teams as well as chief executive Bernie Ecclestone and FIA president Jean Todt, met in Switzerland this week to discuss a new direction for the sport. It is their hope that the revamped qualifying structure will lead to mixed-up grids and, as a consequence, more exciting races this year.

    The new format is still under evaluation, but after it was unanimously accepted by the Formula One commission, it will almost certainly be introduced for the first race of the season in Melbourne next month.

    Hamilton, who is about to start his 10th campaign in F1, added: “I don’t really feel like it is going to change much to be honest, but I hope it is a surprise for us all and I hope it does.”

    Under the proposed technical regulations for 2017, which are yet to be rubber-stamped by the World Motor Sport Council, the cars will also be 20 kilograms heavier.

    Hamilton said: “The heavier they make the car, there is more force on the tyres, so the tyres feel even worse and it puts more stress on Pirelli to produce better tyres. I have my opinions on it and I don’t particularly agree with it.”

    Recommended