F1 News: Fernando Alonso Urges FIA To Make Changes - "Qualifying Format Is Obsolete"

Fernando Alonso believes the Formula 1 qualifying session is at its worst form currently since 2001.

Fernando Alonso might have had his 'enough is enough' moment as he blasts the FIA for the mess that the qualifying session has become. The 42-year-old driver claimed that the session, which was once looked forward to the most during the race weekends, has turned out to be the worst lately. 

During the Abu Dhabi qualifying, a familiar scenario unfolded as drivers lined up to exit the pit lane, subsequently encountering challenges in finding open space on the track due to multiple changes in the session regulations.

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The latest modification by the FIA's race stewards aimed to prohibit drivers from overtaking in the pit lane tunnel, a response to an incident where Max Verstappen managed to pass through during practice. This added another element of complexity for the drivers.

Alonso, who has been part of Formula 1 intermittently since 2001, has witnessed various changes to the qualifying format. However, he thinks that the current format is the worst since his entry into the sport, expressing dissatisfaction with the FIA's new regime for being particularly strict in adhering to the rules. Speaking to the media, the Aston Martin driver said:

“Exits did not help or make things worse.

“It didn’t change much, but it proves that the qualifying format is obsolete.

“This session used to be the best session of the weekend where the cars, they come alive.

“You drive these very fast cars and now it’s the worst session of the weekend. For the teams, for drivers, for traffic management, for track limits.

“Going to the stewards, not respecting the delta, impeding people, deleting the laps. We are all happy that it’s over and it shouldn’t be like that.”

The FIA's choice to adopt a stricter approach came as a result of events at this location two years ago when Michael Masi bent the regulations in the closing stages of the season. Under Mohammed Ben Sulayem's leadership, the FIA has adhered more closely to the letter of the law, though it has not always been to the drivers' satisfaction.