ACI: F1 GP at Imola, Saturday qualifying with only one tire compound for stint
11.05.2023
An experiment to make the Grand Prix more spectacular and Formula 1 more sustainable
On Saturday 20 May 2023, the “Enzo e Dino Ferrari” International Circuit in Imola will be the scene of an absolute premiere: the introduction, on an experimental basis, of a new qualifying format with a single tire compound for each of the three sessions, one solution that will make the sixth round of the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship even more surprising.
For the round of Imola 2023, the protagonists of the World Championship will compete for place on the starting grid using a single tire compound for each of the three sessions: for Q1, only the hard compound tires can be used (the Pirelli P Zero White hard, with white band), in Q2 the medium compound tires will be used (the Pirelli P Zero Yellow medium, with yellow band), while the ten survivors who will fight for pole position in Q3 will take to the track with the soft compound (the Pirelli P Zero Red soft, with red band).
“The objective – explained Mario Isola, Pirelli Motorsport Director – is to reduce the number of sets of tires per race, another step towards making Formula 1 increasingly sustainable. The decision to make this format debut at Imola was taken by Formula 1 and the Federation: it is important to have representative races to understand if the new format works and Imola is a complete track. This new format allows drivers to arrive on race day with a good distribution of compounds in their allocation, whereas up until now they often had 4 or 5 sets of soft tires which perhaps were no longer used after qualifying. Furthermore, this system puts everyone on the same level and allows you to do more fast laps in Q1, for example, because – if you make a mistake in the flying lap – you don’t have to put on a new set. If the experiment, which will be repeated later in the season, turns out to be positive, it could be adopted permanently.”
Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday 20 May between 4 and 5 pm. At the end, fans will be able to enjoy the Fanzone located behind the grandstands on the main straight, opposite the pits. In this area you can experience the behind the scenes of a world championship grand prix and attend concerts. The Fanzone remains open every day from 8 to 20, while the concerts will continue until 21.
Meanwhile, the race for tickets continues. To increase the availability of seats and meet the needs of fans and enthusiasts, the Autodrome has built six new grandstands at the Villeneuve, Tosa, Gresini, Acque Minerali bends, and in the starting area in front of the pits. Tickets can be purchased on the website ticketone.it and on www.autodromoimola.it. Getting to Imola for the Formula 1 Grand Prix will be even easier this year: Trenitalia has in fact planned special trains and extraordinary stops, from 19 to 21 May.
This is the GP schedule Friday: 9.55-10.40 free practice F.3; 11.05-11:50 free practice F.2; 13.30-14.30 free F.1; 15-15.30 qualifying F.3; 15.55-16.25 Qualifying F.2; 17-18 free F.1; 18.30-19.15 free Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Saturday: 10.35-11.20 Sprint Race F.3 (20 laps or 40’+ 1 lap); 12.30-13.30 free F.1; 14.15-15 Sprint Race F.2 (25 laps or 45’+ 1 lap); 16-17 Qualifying F.1; 17.45-18.15 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup qualifying Sunday: 8.50-9:40 Feature race F.3 (24 laps or 45’+ 1 lap); 10.20-11.25 F.2 Feature Race (35 laps or 60’+ 1 lap); 12.05-12.40 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup race (14 laps or 30′); 15: GP F.1 (63 laps).