Grosjean doesn't see need for qualifying format change

Romain Grosjean says that he is not a fan of suggestions that F1 will introduce a fourth part of qualifying in 2020.

F1 has been exploring the possibility of introducing a fourth session next year, to change the current format that has been in place since 2006. 

Any change would need the backing of all ten teams, however Grosjean admits that he isn't a fan of it, as he believes the current method offers the most excitement.

“I don’t really see the point. I think three is pretty cool and a top 10 shootout is pretty nice,” Grosjean said. “We’ve tried many qualifying sessions and it hasn’t changed the world."

Grosjean spoke about the controversial qualifying format that was introduced for the first two races in 2016, which failed to produce exciting sessions.

“2016 was the shootout. I remember in Bahrain, I was P8 and was hoping someone would push me out so I would start ninth to have free tyres.

“I think it’s actually a disadvantage for the midfield – five of the top three cars weren’t on the medium in qualifying, for them it won’t change anything. Then you have two poor guys starting, so it is sometimes it’s positive, but when it’s negative it is not good.

“I don’t think a fix is needed. Look at the midfield battle, it’s two or three tenths to P7 to P15. It’s amazing.”

Yup, I agree, of all things, quali isn't what we need to change.

  • 1
  • Apr 22 2019 - 19:55

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • f1dave

    Posts: 782

    Sure, just keep changing things, sooner or later you'll find something that will attract people who don't follow racing now. Of course by then the current fans will be long gone.

    • + 0
    • Apr 22 2019 - 16:18
    • Seriously, qualifying is one of the few things where I think most people agree we're in a pretty good place. It's one of the few things people don't look back and think "I miss the old quali format"

      • + 0
      • Apr 22 2019 - 17:51
    • Yup, I agree, of all things, quali isn't what we need to change.

      • + 1
      • Apr 22 2019 - 19:55
  • Liberty is running out of options to bring change to. Im afraid they start breaking things in guise of improving them. Most worrisome of the whole fiasco is, they have no idea, what fans like, what they dont.

    • + 0
    • Apr 23 2019 - 05:30

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country FR
  • Date of b. Apr 17 1986 (39)
  • Place of b. Geneve, FR
  • Weight 71 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

  • comments 71,590 comments on Haas
  • star 16 members have this team as their favourite
  • vote Tweets about Haas
Show full profile
show sidebar