The qualifying session on Saturdays will now be split into three distinct parts, each with multiple drivers on track simultaneously, and each with the drivers running as many laps as they want — this following the recent approval from the FIA World Motor Sport Council of the new "knockout qualifying" system.
The first part has all 20 cars run as many laps as they want during the first 15 minutes of the hour. At the end of the first 15 minutes, the five slowest cars drop out and fill the final five grid places.
After a five-minute break, the second part will have the time reset and the remaining 15 cars will run in the second 15-minute session. The drivers may complete as many laps as they want at any time during that period. At the end of the 15 minutes, the five slowest cars drop out and fill places 11 to 15 on the grid.
There will be another five-minute break. During the final part, the times are reset and the final 20minute session will feature a shootout between the remaining 10 cars to decide pole position and the starting order for the top 10 grid places. Again, these cars may run as many laps as they wish.
As an added twist, an element of suspense and pit strategy remains entwined in the new format. In the first two 15-minute sessions, cars may run any fuel load and drivers knocked out after those sessions may refuel ahead of the race.
However, the top 10 drivers must begin the final 20-minute session with the fuel load on which they plan to start the race. They will be weighed before they leave the pits, and whatever fuel they use in the 20 minutes may be replaced at the end of the session.
Another change approved by the Council for 2006 is the dropping of the rule that limits a driver to a single set of tires for qualifying and the race. Tire changes will be allowed during the race, though drivers will be limited to seven sets of dry-weather tires during the weekend. Tires used in qualifying and the race must be of the same specification.
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