How is the qualifying tyre allocation changing at the Emilia Romagna GP?

It has only been over a week since Formula 1 tried out a new format (the sprint weekend in Azerbaijan), but another test is set to follow at Imola. Some time ago, the FIA and Formula 1 announced they would try a new qualifying tyre allocation in Imola. With the Grand Prix next on the calendar, a little look ahead: What exactly will happen at Imola?

First of all, good news for the engineers: in Imola, three free practice sessions are scheduled. Unlike a sprint weekend, the preparation time for Grand Prix qualifying is exactly the same. Only qualifying itself is effected in Imola.

Fewer tyre sets

Formula 1 organisers think it is important for the sport to become more sustainable. Further limiting the number of tyre sets to be used during a weekend is one measure to ensure this. In a regular weekend, drivers have 13 sets of tyres at their disposal, in Imola it will be 11: three sets of hard tyres, four sets of mediums and four sets of softs.

In regular qualifying, teams have the option to decide which compound from Pirelli they want to use in Q1, Q2 and Q3. For Imola, it is prescribed that hard tyres are used in Q1, mediums are mandatory in Q2 and in Q3 the drivers drive softs. By the way, should qualifying be wet, a free choice of tyres will apply.

Formula 1 wants to be more sustainable

The advantage of this set-up is that the teams actually use the allocated sets of tyres. As it stands, drivers usually choose softs (and sometimes a medium tyre) for qualifying. The hard tyre comes in much less often, sometimes during the races as well. By reducing the number of tyre sets and, in addition, prescribing when to use which tyres in qualifying, Formula 1 wants to try to reduce the number of unused sets of tyres - which is obviously better in terms of sustainability.

The intention is to try next week's set-up again in Imola later in the season. This should take place in summer, or at least at a track where temperatures are high. Which venue it will eventually be is still unknown. If Pirelli and the teams are satisfied with the trial, the system may be introduced for every Grand Prix in 2024.