MAY 21, 2005

Teams sign off on qualifying

The 10 Formula 1 teams have all signed off for a change in the qualifying format with the Sunday morning session to be axed so that the grid will be known on Saturday afternoon. There will now be only one qualifying session with the running order being established by the result of the previous race,

The 10 Formula 1 teams have all signed off for a change in the qualifying format with the Sunday morning session to be axed so that the grid will be known on Saturday afternoon. There will now be only one qualifying session with the running order being established by the result of the previous race, which means that those who retire early in races will be at a big disadvantage at the next event. Unfortunately this was the only possible compromise given that the teams have designed the cars for the regulations and some have small fuel tanks and were not willing to agree any rules which would put them at a disadvantage. The quick fix solution is likely to last only for the 2005 season and we would expect to see a new system in 2006.