F1's new one shot qualifying sessions are to be supplemented by another new regulation aimed at further enhancing the spectator value of the sport. From this season onwards, refuelling of cars will be banned between the end of qualifying and the beginning of the race proper on Sunday afternoons.
The move will further complicate the new qualifying format by effectively preventing teams from running 'qualifying specials' - cars with extremely low fuel levels and optimised engine/gearbox combinations. Cars will now have to qualify on the fuel tanks they intend to start the race with and determine their race strategy before they know their qualifying position.
FIA President Max Mosley upon annoucing the changes said: "Everyone I have spoken to about starting the race on the amount of fuel you finish qualifying with seems very much in favour. They find it intriguing."
Race strategies will effectively fall into two categories in 2003: teams who wish to qualify well and therefore sacrifice a long opening stint in the race; and teams who sacrifice qualifying position in the hope of making up places during a far longer opening stint of the race.
The extent to which the new changes could spice up qualifying and racing was summed up by a Jaguar insider who explained: "If Minardi want a second row start slot, they can go out in qualifying with (petrol) fumes in the car, then make a pitstop on the opening lap. It's a whole new ball game."
As one of the many voices that have been crying out for change in F1's complex rules, MOTORSPORTFORUM supports these added 'tweeks' to qualifying. The combination of one shot qualifying and potentially wildly different fuel loads are certain to turn the qualifying time sheets upside down. And from a commercial perspective the changes are likely to benefit teams such as Jordan and Minardi who are known to be struggling for sponsorship. The opportunity to qualify on one of the front rows of the grid will bring these teams important television coverage - just imagine Justin Wilson, Jos Verstappen and Antonio Pizzonia as the top three for the Australian GP's post-qualifying press conference!
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