The FIA has given the green light to the proposed qualifying changes for the 2014 season just days ahead of the first race of the season.
As The F1 Times reported in February, the teams met to discuss ways to stop drivers from sitting out Q3 in order to save tyres for the race – something fans highlighted as major issue.
The teams agreed upon some minor tweaks which have now been ratified and written into the sporting regulations which the FIA published on Wednesday.
The rules will now award an additional set of the tyres to all 22 cars, but those who make it through to Q3 must use them to set their time and then return them to Pirelli after. They will start the race on the compound in which they set their fastest time during Q2.
The remaining 12 drivers can use the additional set of ‘option’ tyres during the race if they wish.
The final top-ten shoot-out has been extended to 12 minutes, whilst Q1 has been shortened to 18. Q2 remains 15 minutes.
The hope is that these changes will remove any advantage of skipping Q3, as no tyre benefit is gained by doing so.
