Max Verstappen skeptical about the new qualifying format
Formula 1 will test a new qualifying format this year. The Imola Grand Prix is expected to host this innovation.
Hard tires for Q1. Mediums for Q2. And softs for the final part. The aim is to reduce the tire allocation from 13 to 11. This is the new qualifying format that is set to be tested by F1 this year. According to information from Motorsport, the chosen location by F1 bosses would be Imola.
Max Verstappen, the current double world champion, believes that the Italian track is not the best option to test this new option. He also holds a critical view of this format.
I hope it won’t be cold in Imola, otherwise it will be tricky. It will be the same for everyone, but I don’t think we need to do this kind of thing in qualifying. I don’t really see the advantage.
The Red Bull driver believes that this system would only serve to increase the show on the track. An opinion shared by his teammate Sergio Perez. We don’t really need to change anything. But we’ll see, we’ll see once we’ve tried it, but I don’t think it’s necessary to change something that’s working well.
In three years, Formula 1 will have thus tried the sprint races, which have faced criticism from several drivers. Now, a new qualifying format takes its place. After Imola, it should be tested on another circuit. Pirelli will then analyze the data before making its decision regarding 2024.
