News On F1 - Formula 1 News, Results, Information and Statistics

Formula 1 Store
F1 Tickets, Tours, Gear
F1 Books
& Biographies

Qualifying 'much less important' now - Webber


Formula 1 News - May, 2013

F1 Merchandise
Main Page
Formula 1 News
2016 F1 Schedule
2016 F1 Line-up
2015 F1 Results
F1 Teams
F1 Drivers
10 'n' Pole
Register - Submit
F1 Regulations
The Forums
Live F1 Coverage
Motorsport Shop
UK - USA
Motorsport Calendar
Tim's Blog

F1 Merchandise UK
F1 Merchandise USA

F1 Tours
F1 Tickets
F1 Diecast
F1 Videos
F1 Games
F1 Trivia
NewsOnF1 on Twitter
MotoGP Tickets
Past Formula 1 Seasons
2014 F1 Results
2013 F1 Results
2012 F1 Results
2011 F1 Results
2010 F1 Results
2009 F1 Results
2008 F1 Results
2007 F1 Results
2006 F1 Results
2005 F1 Results
2004 F1 Results
2003 F1 Results

2002 F1 Results

2001 F1 Results

2000 F1 Results

1999 F1 Results

1998 F1 Results

1997 F1 Results
Links
Translate
Search
Contact Us
About
Archives
Your Say
Diagnosis & Prognosis
By the Heretic
Controversy Corner
The Real Race
By the Quali-flyer
F1 Testing
F1 Team Reports
8 'n' Pole
2010 World Cup
2006 World Cup


May 6 (GMM) Qualifying is no longer as important as in the past, according to Mark Webber.

"Previously," the Australian is quoted by the German-language T-Online website, "qualifying was almost everything -- 75 to 80 per cent.

"It's now much less than that," the Red Bull driver added.

Webber, 36, has been one of the leading critics of the 'new' formula one, in which Pirelli's heavily degrading control tyres are dominating.

Now, starting position is arguably completely outweighed by race strategy and tyre management.

"There's still a little bit of chess on a Saturday to make sure you're in a good position," Webber continued, "but it's no longer as important as it once was."

Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen has a slightly different view, even though so far in 2013 the Finn has won from seventh on the grid in Australia, and qualified eighth yet finished second in Bahrain.

"The further forward (on the grid) you are," he said, "it helps you to save the tyres, and keeps you away from any (first lap) accidents."

More generally, F1 is looking into how the 'Pirelli effect' gels with the current weekend format, amid reports a harder tyre could be supplied exclusively to spice up the often meagre early action in practice sessions.

And there have been suggestions the 'knockout' qualifying format is no longer working well, with tyre conservation strategies becoming more common.

"It's early days," Pirelli's Paul Hembery said. "Let's see what happens through the season.

"It's a game of opinions. Ultimately we'll do what the sport asks us to do, of course, and if we do feel together that qualifying is not working I'm sure we'll all find a solution together."

comments powered by Disqus
If you are using Internet Explorer, make sure you set your document mode to IE 8 (Alt+8) or via F12 to see and add comments

10 'n' Pole Formula 1 Tipping Competition - Have fun and win - Register

Latest Formula 1 News Headlines
09 Aug: F1 should start 2021 engine planning now - officials Comments
09 Aug: F1's Brazilian duo face uncertain future Comments
08 Aug: Bottas has Renault 'offer' - source Comments
08 Aug: Only 'good offer' would restart F1 career - Buemi Comments
08 Aug: Rosberg lacks Hamilton's 'killer instinct' - Marko Comments
08 Aug: Only new rules can stop Mercedes - Alonso Comments
08 Aug: Newey 'fully motivated again' - Horner Comments
05 Aug: Ecclestone credits Verstappen for Heineken deal Comments
05 Aug: Montezemolo struggles to hold tongue over Ferrari Comments
05 Aug: Wehrlein defends performance against Haryanto Comments
04 Aug: Ecclestone to 'sell' F1 radio coms - report Comments
04 Aug: Sirotkin in running for Renault seat - father Comments
04 Aug: Hulkenberg hails McLaren-Honda progress Comments
04 Aug: Marko plays down Kvyat axe rumours Comments
04 Aug: Renault could turn blue for 2017 - reports Comments
03 Aug: Mercedes, McLaren in dispute over engineer Comments
03 Aug: Wolff urges Renault to sign Ocon Comments
03 Aug: Lauda to help Rosberg bounce back Comments
03 Aug: Father defends Magnussen's F1 commitment Comments
03 Aug: Marchionne 'not satisfied' but staying the course Comments

The latest Formula 1 News

Back to the main news page

Back To Top


 
F1 Tickets
Chinese F1 GP
Belgian F1 GP
Singapore F1 GP
Italian F1 GP
Abu Dhabi F1 GP
US F1 GP
Few tickets still available
MotoGP Tickets
British MotoGP
Czech Republic MotoGP
San Marino MotoGP
Valencia MotoGP
more Motorsport Tours & Holidays

Official 2012 F1 Season Review

Autocourse 2012 Annual

F1 Merchandise US

F1 Merchandise UK

Formula 1 Yearbooks


Ayrton Senna

Past Formula 1 Drivers