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The FIA has announced that the 107% qualifying rule will be reintroduced next year after an eight-season absence.
The 107% rule was in place between 1996-2002 as a way of ensuring cars which were significantly off the pace were barred from taking part in the race, with drivers needing to set a qualifying time which was within 107% of the polesitter’s
It was scrapped from the start of the 2003 season when single-lap qualifying was introduced but there had been suggestions earlier this year that it could be reinstated as early as this season amid initial concerns over the pace of F1’s three new teams.
With another brand new entrant likely to join the grid in time for 2011, the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council took the decision at its latest meeting on Wednesday to reinsert the 107% regulation back into next year’s sporting regulations in relation to Q1.
“From 2011, any driver whose best qualifying lap exceeds 107% of the fastest Q1 qualifying time will not be allowed to take part in the race,” an FIA statement read.
“Under exceptional circumstances, however, which may include setting a suitable lap time in a free practice session, the stewards may permit the car to start the race.” ITV
“Should there be more than one driver accepted in this manner, the grid order will be determined by the stewards.”
FIA president Jean Todt had expressed his enthusiasm for the rule to be restored. Times of India
The change was agreed at a meeting of F1’s legislative body, the FIA World Council, on Wednesday.
It also confirmed Pirelli as F1’s tyre supplier from 2011, banned the F-duct aerodynamic device and amended the safety car rules for the end of races.
That final decision is a consequence of the controversy at this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, when Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher was given a 25-second penalty for overtaking Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari.
The rule - which will be introduced with immediate effect - now makes it explicit that overtaking will not be allowed if the safety car pulls in at the end of the last lap.
The FIA World Council said: “No car may overtake until it has passed the first safety car line for the first time when the safety car is returning to the pits.
“However, if the safety car is still deployed at the beginning of the last lap, or is deployed during the last lap, it will enter the pit lane at the end of the lap and the cars will take the chequered flag as normal without overtaking.” BBC Sport
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