Other than a desire to spice up the current weekend format, Saturday's Q3 shambles, which saw nine drivers fail to complete a final flying lap as they held back in an attempt to get a tow from the car at the head of the pack, brought the need for a change into sharp relief.

For some time F1 bosses have been looking at ways to improve qualifying, and Ross Brawn recently admitted that the idea of races being on held on Saturday to decide Sunday's grid order was being considered.

Following yesterday's meeting of F1's Strategy Group in Geneva, Ferrari team boss, Mattia Binotto revealed that the ten teams have given their approval to the idea.

"All the teams said yes, including us" he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Therefore, in 2020 it will be done."

It's understood that the race, thought to be 100km, will replace Q3, but will only happen at certain circuits, mostly at tracks where overtaking is 'difficult'.

The proposal to bring back refuelling was rejected by the teams, as was the plan to make two tyre stops mandatory.

While F1 bosses will now consider the proposals, Binotto made it clear that as far as Ferrari is concerned, the sport must not stray from its historic roots.

"Two concepts must be clear," he said. "F1 must remain a platform where technological competition exists. This is the only reason why Ferrari invests in it. We don't like any attempt to make the cars all the same.

"It must also remain a discipline in which the best wins because trying to mix the cards is wrong. Ours is not a show, it is a sport," he added.

"The regulation that we will vote in October will be the starting point for continuing to discuss and improve."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by gamerboy, 21/09/2019 18:19 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 21/09/2019 18:22)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

Rating: Neutral (0)

2. Posted by Uffen, 20/09/2019 14:12

"Just say no to refueling.
I do not see the logic to running a qualifying 'race' when it is poor racing that fans are complaining about.
Let the teams choose their own tire strategy, no mandatory compound use. "

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3. Posted by BritishBruce, 20/09/2019 10:16 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 21/09/2019 18:22)

"Pit stops involving refuelling are disliked by teams and competitors for two reasons:
1) Risk of fire - look at Jos Verstappen (Max's Dad) 1994, German Grand Prix, Hockenheim.
2) Expense - the cost of transporting the refuelling equipment around the world is prohibitive.
Pit stops are liked by sponsors because cars are stationary - albeit briefly - and their logos are clearly visible on TV in the heart of the action where viewer interest is concentrated. Rumour has it that that is why such stops were introduced by the "power that be" at the time."

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4. Posted by DRAGON F1, 18/09/2019 2:53

"To the people who always complain not matter what, I think it would be better not to watch F1 anymore and just watch something else, because the old days are not coming back!? Lol
Btw the old F1 wasn't as good or close as now, with the exception of the beautiful V8 engine noise!

I am guessing, but I think these qualifying races are not actually races, but 'races' where the qualifying laps times are set, and the fastest times will determine the grid!? "

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5. Posted by BillH, 16/09/2019 18:43

"The teams all take Soft, Medium and Hard tires to every race. Why not mandate that all compounds have to be used?
No extra cost.
No safety issues.
More of the team (pit crew) involved.
There could even be a relaxing of which tire to start on."

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6. Posted by Chris Roper, 15/09/2019 20:11 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 21/09/2019 18:22)

"@Tardis40
> "Bringing back refueling would increase the number of tire stops and improve the racing. I cannot fathom the resistance to it."

Combining High capacity Batteries with High Octane Fuel under pressure would certainly be exciting but not in the form of improved racing. Such spectacles are normally reserved for Guy Fawkes night."

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7. Posted by NS Biker, 15/09/2019 18:45

"Refueling is dead ... give-it-up.
For at least two reasons, cost and safety.
As for the qualifying race to set the grid order for the main race .... yep, silly decision.
Having said that, were I a team manager ... GREAT. All for it.
Gets to promote your sponsors more and, likely the more important part, provides another practice session.
Now we have FP-1, 2, 3 and a Q-Session followed by a 45 minute Q race.
Assuming they run the full grid, for the Q-Race, the midfield teams will likely be racing for 8th to 18th place. How hard are you going to push to gain a place or two. Not much I think. Are you going to save tyres for the main event.?
Speaking of tyres, will be interesting to see what they come up with, a mandatory stop or no stops allowed.
What about Parc-Ferme rules? when will they be applied.? Or does this go out with the bath water.
Will the teams be able to work on their cars between Q-R and the Sunday main.?
Loads of questions and the strategists will be working overtime to figure out the best options.
They should have saved this for March 32nd."

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8. Posted by sagosac, 15/09/2019 12:31

"...but why these Q-races only on tracks where overtaking is problematic ? In order to create processions ?"

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9. Posted by sagosac, 15/09/2019 11:26

"I have to gather myself -- still speechless"

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10. Posted by stackvideo, 14/09/2019 22:57 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 21/09/2019 18:22)

"So is there then going to be a qualifying session for the Saturday qualifying race. So much for keeping costs under control . LOL. Totally agree with nnails "micky mouse f1"
"

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11. Posted by nnails, 14/09/2019 20:47

"As a fan who group with late 80s f1. It's really turning in to micky mouse f1. It just no longer the sport I loved. Think it's time to jump ship and watch sports cars and le mans instead. "

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12. Posted by V10s4Me, 14/09/2019 9:12

"Why not bring back V10's, refueling, tyres that can be raced hard for the entire race, get rid of batteries and fix everything!"

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13. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 14/09/2019 8:18

"I think we are on the slippery slope of our beloved F1 being Americanised."

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14. Posted by Rock Doc, 13/09/2019 20:10

"Not broke so don't fix.

The current quali is not perfect but it has thrown up good entertainment. Last Saturday may have been caused some people to moan but I thought it was hilarious. You get what you deserve.

As @C5 says, I don't see how a race will be any better than they way they decide the grid for that one. Boggles the mind what they will come up with next.

I'm all for the old starts where they had to run across the track and get into the cars and go from there. "

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15. Posted by GrahamG, 13/09/2019 18:32 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 21/09/2019 18:22)

"More artificial elements to make it a show rather than a competition
Why nor just have a lottery draw for the winner on the grid with a Z list celebrity drawing the "winner" out of Chase's hat?. About as valid
Yet another reason not to watch F1"

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Teams agree on qualifying races in 2020

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