F1 News: Italian GP To Host New Qualifying Format Despite Mixed Response

The Italian Grand Prix will host the second race weekend with the new qualifying format with specific tyre allocation given to the teams.

The 'Alternative Tyre Allocation' (ATA) system was also used during the Hungarian Grand Prix earlier in the year, and although it was met with a mixed response, it will also be used this weekend in Monza.

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The system, which is hopeful to improve sustainability, limits teams to just 11 sets of tyres for the entire race weekend and each stage of qualifying has an allocated tyre. Drivers will begin qualifying with Hard tyres during Q1 before moving onto Medium tyres for Q2. The remaining ten drivers will then have to use Soft tyres for Q3 as they fight for pole position.

Pirelli Motorsport Director Mario Isola has commented ahead of the Italian Grand Prix race weekend:

"After Hungary, Monza will be the second time that the Alternative Tyre Allocation (ATA) is trialled, which uses two fewer sets of tyres than the standard format.

"This offers a benefit in terms of CO2 saved both during production and transport, as well as giving teams and drivers a wider range of strategic option.

"For this reason as well, we have chosen the trio of softest compounds for Monza - C3, C4, and C5 - which has already been nominated five times this season."

As mentioned by Isola, the saving in emissions is the main motivation behind the changes, especially as the sport aims to be carbon neutral by 2030.

The Italian Grand Prix weekend will be kicking off with the first two Free Practice sessions tomorrow. The third and final Free Practice session and Qualifying will take place on Saturday followed by the Grand Prix on Sunday.

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