Return of the minimum time limit to be respected for F1 drivers in Qatar
In an effort to maximize the chances of drivers having clean qualifying laps, the FIA has reinstated a minimum lap time limit to promote fluidity in Doha. This minimum time was missing in Singapore.
During the Singapore Grand Prix, the FIA with its race director, Niels Wittich, had implemented a minimum lap to be respected during qualifications. This is not the first time this has happened, but the peculiarity is that this limit was subsequently cancelled.
This change of instruction during the weekend had disrupted the drivers and especially caused numerous inconveniences in qualifications in particular, the single-seaters needing to cool down the tires before launching for a quick lap.
At Suzuka, two weeks ago, although this limit had been used, inconveniences were also observed in qualification.
In Doha this weekend, Niels Wittich resumes the concept by imposing a minimum lap to be respected during the qualifications and sprint qualifications that will take place this Friday evening and Saturday.
The statement explains: « In order to ensure that cars do not unnecessarily drive slowly during and after the end of qualifications, the sprint shootout, or during reconnaissance laps when the pit exit is open for the Sprint and the Race, drivers must be faster than 1m46s between the safety car lines indicated on the pitlane plan. »
The best time of the trials having been signed at 1:27, it is therefore 19 seconds slower. This will allow the drivers to prepare their tires to achieve a fast lap while maintaining a high enough speed to avoid being surprised by a driver on an attack lap.
