In an effort to make Formula 1 Qualifying more intense, the FIA is considering a new format that will include four sessions instead of the current three.
The new format was discussed at the recent Strategy Group meeting. It will see four cars eliminated in Q1, Q2, and Q3 leaving just 8 cars to run in Q4. This means that the top runners would have to get everything right three times before the final shoot-out. This would increase the chance of unexpected results.
It could also affect the tyre choice as only 8 cars qualify to the final session. This makes qualifying on the harder tyre trickier. The switch would also make the race strategy easier for the – typically – midfield cars that qualify ninth and tenth as they will not face the problem of being committed to the “wrong” tyre for the start.