Super Formula announces new tyre change regulation and new qualifying format for select races

Written by Tarun Suresh

Credit: Super Formula

Super Formula have announced changes in the qualifying format for rounds three and eight, held at Autopolis and Sportsland SUGO, respectively.

Qualifying 1 will have 2 groups of 12, Group A and Group B. Each group will get 10 minutes in which the cars belonging to their respective groups will have to set a representative lap time. The six fastest drivers from each group will make it to Qualifying 2.

In Q2, the 12 drivers will have ten minutes to set their representative lap times. The 5 fastest drivers from Q2 will make it to the newly introduced Qualifying 3.

Q3 will be a seven-minute session where the drivers battle it out for pole position.

The points awarded for qualifying will remain the same, with the pole sitter getting 3, second place getting 2, and the third fastest getting 1 point.

This new qualifying format has been branded as  “SUPER POLE QUALIFYING Supported by YOKOHAMA TIRE.”

New tyre change regulations have also been introduced for this season. In what seems to discourage all the teams from making early pit stops and to encourage more varied strategy, a set number of laps will have to be completed to satisfy the mandatory tyre change requirement.

The minimum lap requirement will change depending on the circuit:

Motegi - Lap 10

AUTOPOLIS - Lap 11

Suzuka - Lap 8

Fuji - Lap 11

SUGO - Lap 13

During double header weekends, both races will have the same minimum lap requirement.