Gary Anderson's idea: "I would add a Q4 in qualifying"

Gary Anderson’s idea: “I would add a Q4 in qualifying”. Gary Anderson finds it interesting to have a fourth mini-session after Q3 for the top five fastest drivers.

The current qualifying format
The 2006 season saw the introduction of a new qualifying format, designed to replace the regulations of the previous three years based on a single lap or a combination of two runs with different fuel loads. From that championship onwards, the decisive one-hour session for setting the starting grid is divided into three direct elimination rounds during different time periods, better known as Q1, Q2, and Q3.

The latest idea
In almost twenty years, the current regulations have not undergone any major changes, except for the shootout qualifications introduced this year for the starting grid of the Sprint race, also divided into three rounds but with shorter times granted to the drivers. However, regarding the traditional qualifying format, various proposals have been put forward over the years to make the session more spectacular, with the latest coming from Gary Anderson.

Q4 for the top 5 drivers
In his column for The Telegraph, the former Technical Director of Jordan and Jaguar finds it interesting to add another segment to the existing format: “The ‘sprint shootout’ qualifying has a poorly chosen name because it is anything but a shootout,” he explained. “F1 should look to this title for inspiration on how to improve the main qualifying sessions. The current format for the main race works quite well, but there is room to improve the spectacle. To do this, I would add a fourth mini-session so that we have a Q4 following Q3. Q1 and Q2 would remain unchanged, with five cars eliminated each time. However, Q3, instead of determining the final grid of the Grand Prix, would become another elimination session where the top five fastest drivers would move on to Q4 and compete for the pole. Q4 would then be a unique race with a new set of soft tires and a time limit of about five minutes, enough for only one flying lap. In Q3, drivers currently have two chances to secure pole position, which means that mistakes are not punished as harshly and there is less risk.”

Other proposals
This is not the first time the 73-year-old has suggested some changes to the current formats or rules in Formula 1. Recently, Anderson had urged the Circus to introduce “something significantly different,” specifically referring to the introduction of a Sprint race grid inversion based on the results of Q1 in GP qualifying. In addition to this, the Northern Irish designer had considered the idea of a more ‘football-like’ F1, with a penalty system similar to yellow cards.