F1 looking at changing qualifying once again

Formula 1 could introduce a new qualifying format in the future with an additional Q4 session attached. According to F1 motorsport director Ross Brawn, the concept is in the works that will still keep qualifying restricted to one hour but with more on-track action.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Brawn explained that there would be an extra shootout session that would see drivers fight for pole position, limiting the downtime between the three current session format F1 uses.

"We are working on a qualifying format which is similar to what we have now, you'll get elimination and still have the top cars fighting for the top places, but you get more action, so we have an hour of intense action," he said.

"It's more something that's come from F1. They've been doing a lot of research among fans, and they feel this is one of the things that the fans would like.

"Slightly shorter, slightly shorter time between them, four go out in Q1, four, four, leaving eight. I personally think it's quite a nice idea, but that's not my decision.

"We are looking at how we streamline the weekend for teams but not in terms of track action. We want to have two or more three races per season, but we think we can do that by not overstressing the teams by trying to refine their weekends."

F1 trialled a timed elimination qualifying concept back in 2016 that was replaced after just two race weekends after resulting in a lack of on-track action.