Formula One trialling new qualifying format in 2023

Formula One is going to trial a new qualifying format at two events during the 2023 season as they want to cut back on the number of tyres used during a GP weekend.  

The new format will consist of all cars being forced to use the hard compound of tyre during Q1, using the medium compound during Q2 and the soft compound during Q3. The current format allows drivers to have free choice of tyre compound in every session of qualifying; the F1 have stated that if any of the sessions, where the new format is implemented, and the tyre is wet then drivers have free choice of compound.  

In addition, to the new format of qualifying, the F1 are also implementing changes to lower the usage of tyres through a Grand Prix weekend. They have reduced the number of tyres available to drivers from 13 to 11, this will only be tested at the same events as the new format.  

Currently, drivers are given eight soft, three medium and two hard tyres. With the new format it would be, four soft, four medium and three hard tyres. The change is to make sure drivers use a wide variety of tyres during a race weekend, so there is less waste at the end of a Grand Prix weekend. 

A statement from the FIA regarding this change states: “This will be done to evaluate the impact of the reduction in tyre allocation on track-running, with the overall intention to move to more sustainable use of tyres in the future."