close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US

F1's qualifying race trial unlikely for 2020

Photo: © LAT Images

F1's qualifying race trial unlikely for 2020

Not all the teams were in favour.

Formula 1 is set to shelve plans to trial qualifying races next season, amid reported opposition from the bigger teams on the grid.

As Liberty Media look to ramp up on-track excitement, it had been proposed to hold a sprint race, rather than the existing qualifying format, to decide the grid at three grands prix in 2020.

The grid for the qualifying race was to be decided by reversing the order of the drivers' championship, in theory forcing the best cars on the grid to fight through the field and raise the chances of overtaking.

However, the teams who would have been relied upon to create the excitement are widely reported to be against the idea.

Drivers had been particularly vocal in their opposition to the plans, with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel branding the idea "complete bullshit".

When the proposal was put to a vote by the teams, requiring unanimous backing, it was reportedly held up by the bigger teams in the paddock.

F1's three-tiered elimination-style qualifying format was introduced in 2006 and has generally been seen as a success, despite previous efforts to tinker with it.

A hashed change in 2016, which saw drivers eliminated individually, was a farcical failure and lasted just two races, with F1 sticking to the previous format ever since.

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Why is David Croft not at the Barcelona Grand Prix?

Why is David Croft not at the Barcelona Grand Prix?

  • 8 minutes ago
Now Lewis Hamilton leads and Ferrari follow: How F1 legend has taken over Maranello

Now Lewis Hamilton leads and Ferrari follow: How F1 legend has taken over Maranello

  • 1 hour ago
Channel 4 F1 highlights today: How to watch the 2026 Barcelona Grand Prix FREE

Channel 4 F1 highlights today: How to watch the 2026 Barcelona Grand Prix FREE

  • 1 hour ago
F1 News Today: Monaco Grand Prix result could change AGAIN as Mercedes call in lawyers

F1 News Today: Monaco Grand Prix result could change AGAIN as Mercedes call in lawyers

  • 2 hours ago
Kim Kardashian surprises F1 prodigy Kimi Antonelli with a special gift

Kim Kardashian surprises F1 prodigy Kimi Antonelli with a special gift

  • 2 hours ago
F1 team punished for double pitlane speeding infringement days after Monaco mayhem

F1 team punished for double pitlane speeding infringement days after Monaco mayhem

  • 2 hours ago

Just in

11:30
Why is David Croft not at the Barcelona Grand Prix?
10:27
Now Lewis Hamilton leads and Ferrari follow: How F1 legend has taken over Maranello
09:57
Channel 4 F1 highlights today: How to watch the 2026 Barcelona Grand Prix FREE
09:36
F1 News Today: Monaco Grand Prix result could change AGAIN as Mercedes call in lawyers
09:27
Kim Kardashian surprises F1 prodigy Kimi Antonelli with a special gift
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Why is David Croft not at the Barcelona Grand Prix? Latest F1 News

Why is David Croft not at the Barcelona Grand Prix?

8 minutes ago
Now Lewis Hamilton leads and Ferrari follow: How F1 legend has taken over Maranello Lewis Hamilton

Now Lewis Hamilton leads and Ferrari follow: How F1 legend has taken over Maranello

1 hour ago
F1 team punished for double pitlane speeding infringement days after Monaco mayhem Barcelona Grand Prix

F1 team punished for double pitlane speeding infringement days after Monaco mayhem

2 hours ago
F1 superstar seals first Ferrari win in Barcelona downpour F1 Stories

F1 superstar seals first Ferrari win in Barcelona downpour

3 hours ago
Ontdek het op Google Play
x