{"id":128038,"date":"2025-05-24T12:57:09","date_gmt":"2025-05-24T12:57:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/128038\/"},"modified":"2025-05-24T12:57:09","modified_gmt":"2025-05-24T12:57:09","slug":"sainz-again-urges-f1-to-adopt-f2s-monaco-qualifying-format-but-is-it-too-unfair-%c2%b7-racefans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/128038\/","title":{"rendered":"Sainz again urges F1 to adopt F2’s Monaco qualifying format. But is it too unfair? \u00b7 RaceFans"},"content":{"rendered":"

Carlos Sainz Jnr<\/a> has repeated his call for Formula 1 to change its qualifying format for the Monaco Grand Prix.<\/p>\n

The Williams driver wants the world championship to adopt the same special qualifying format used by its support categories Formula 2 and Formula 3 at the Monaco circuit.<\/p>\n

Sainz says congestion is a serious problem when F1\u2019s full field is on the track, as happens in the first round of qualifying.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith 20 cars on-track, we\u2019re trying to get to do some clean laps without traffic running in different times compared to the others,\u201d he said yesterday. \u201cBut as soon as there\u2019s 15, 18 cars on the track, it becomes a bit of a nightmare. Typical Monaco.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the Formula 2 and Formula 3 support events, the field is split into two and each has a separate qualifying session. The grid is decided by awarding pole position to whichever driver sets the quickest time in each session.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope one day we get the group qualifying here because it would simplify everything so much and make everyone\u2019s life a lot easier,\u201d said Sainz.<\/p>\n

The split qualifying format has been used for years in F1\u2019s support races in Monaco. These tend to have much larger grids than F1: There are 22 cars in F2 and 30 in F3. The drivers\u2019 relative inexperience has also been cited as a reason for reducing the number of cars on-track during qualifying.<\/p>\n

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However splitting the field into two parts inevitably raises concerns that one might benefit from better track conditions than the other. At all circuits, grip levels tend to improve the more cars run, as the surface becomes cleaner and more rubber is laid down.<\/p>\n

\"Carlos<\/a>Sainz missed a potential pole in 2014 due to group qualifyingThe effect is particularly strong in Monaco because the temporary track surface is very low in grip to begin with. Therefore, in theory, drivers who run in the second session later in the day should benefit from better conditions.<\/p>\n

Is this the case? Data from 30 single-seater support rounds held in Monaco over the past 20 years suggests so. On 21 occasions, pole position went to the driver who set the fastest time in the second session.<\/p>\n

On some occasions, this was due to severe changes in conditions. For example the qualifying sessions in 2008 for Formula Renault 3.5 (a Formula 2-level series) and in 2015 for GP2 (later rebranded as Formula 2) meant the unlucky drivers drawn in the first group knew they had no realistic chance of taking pole position. <\/p>\n

However the beneficial effect of running in the second group may have lessened over time. This could be because the track has been resurfaced or is being prepared to a more consistently high standard, meaning drivers gain less time as it rubbers-in and cleans up from session to session.<\/p>\n

If F1 did introduce this format, it should brace itself for complaints. Imagine the potential for controversy should a championship contender be drawn in the \u2018slower\u2019 qualifying group, particularly in a rain-affected session.<\/p>\n

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IndyCar\u2019s approach to qualifying on road and street courses could offer a useful compromise. It runs two separate group stages, then combines the top drivers from each field for a further two stages to decide the front end of its grid.<\/p>\n

Sainz himself has been the \u2018victim\u2019 of the slower session once, when he lost pole for the Formula Renault 3.5 race in 2014 to Norman Nato. However he clearly believes the format has merit. He previously said it is \u201ctoo dangerous\u201d for all 20 F1 cars to qualify together<\/a> on the principality\u2019s tight street circuit.<\/p>\n

The debate is unlikely to go away, particularly as F1\u2019s grid will grow to 22 cars next year.<\/p>\n

Group qualifying comparison for F1 support races
\nFormula 2<\/p>\n\nYear
\nFastest in round one
\nFastest in round two
\nRound two vs Round one
\n<\/tr>\n\n2025<\/td>\nVictor Martins<\/td>\n1\u201921.145<\/td>\nAlex Dunne<\/td>\n1\u201921.142<\/td>\n-0.003<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2024<\/td>\nRichard Verschoor<\/td>\n1\u201921.283<\/td>\nVictor Martins<\/td>\n1\u201921.310<\/td>\n0.027<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2023<\/td>\nVictor Martins<\/td>\n1\u201921.231<\/td>\nFrederik Vesti<\/td>\n1\u201921.053<\/td>\n-0.178<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2022<\/td>\nFelipe Drugovich<\/td>\n1\u201921.348<\/td>\nTheo Pourchaire<\/td>\n1\u201921.535<\/td>\n0.187<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2021<\/td>\nTheo Pourchaire<\/td>\n1\u201920.985<\/td>\nRobert Shwartzman<\/td>\n1\u201921.403<\/td>\n0.418<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2019<\/td>\nCallum Ilott<\/td>\n1\u201921.462<\/td>\nNyck de Vries<\/td>\n1\u201920.676<\/td>\n-0.786<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2018<\/td>\nAlexander Albon<\/td>\n1\u201921.727<\/td>\nNyck de Vries<\/td>\n1\u201921.737<\/td>\n0.01<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2017<\/td>\nCharles Leclerc<\/td>\n1\u201919.309<\/td>\nAlexander Albon<\/td>\n1\u201919.321<\/td>\n0.012<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Formula 3<\/p>\n\nYear
\nFastest in round one
\nFastest in round two
\nRound two vs Round one
\n<\/tr>\n\n2025<\/td>\nNikola Tsolov<\/td>\n1\u201924.882<\/td>\nRoman Bilinski<\/td>\n1\u201925.332<\/td>\n0.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2024<\/td>\nGabriele Min\u00ec<\/td>\n1\u201923.942<\/td>\nChristian Mansell<\/td>\n1\u201924.921<\/td>\n0.979<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2023<\/td>\nDino Beganovic<\/td>\n1\u201923.880<\/td>\nGabriele Mini<\/td>\n1\u201923.278<\/td>\n-0.602<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Formula Regional Europe<\/p>\n\nYear
\nFastest in round one
\nFastest in round two
\nRound two vs Round one
\n<\/tr>\n\n2022<\/td>\nHadrien David<\/td>\n1\u201929.802<\/td>\nDino Beganovic<\/td>\n1\u201929.459<\/td>\n-0.343<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2021<\/td>\nIsack Hadjar<\/td>\n1\u201929.727<\/td>\nZane Maloney<\/td>\n1\u201928.893<\/td>\n-0.834<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Formula Renault Eurocup<\/p>\n\nYear
\nFastest in round one
\nFastest in round two
\nRound two vs Round one
\n<\/tr>\n\n2019<\/td>\nVictor Martins<\/td>\n1\u201941.860<\/td>\nAlexander Smolyar<\/td>\n1\u201941.335<\/td>\n-0.525<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2018<\/td>\nAlex Peroni<\/td>\n1\u201931.143<\/td>\nCharles Milesi<\/td>\n1\u201930.682<\/td>\n-0.461<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2017<\/td>\nWill Palmer<\/td>\n1\u201930.896<\/td>\nSacha Fenestraz<\/td>\n1\u201930.736<\/td>\n-0.16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

GP2<\/p>\n\nYear
\nFastest in round one
\nFastest in round two
\nRound two vs Round one
\n<\/tr>\n\n2016<\/td>\nNorman Nato<\/td>\n1\u201919.894<\/td>\nSergey Sirotkin<\/td>\n1\u201919.186<\/td>\n-0.708<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2015<\/td>\nRaffaele Marciello<\/td>\n1\u201940.357<\/td>\nAlexander Rossi<\/td>\n1\u201937.019<\/td>\n-3.338<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2014<\/td>\nJolyon Palmer<\/td>\n1\u201920.774<\/td>\nRio Haryanto<\/td>\n1\u201921.433<\/td>\n0.659<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2013<\/td>\nJohnny Cecotto Jnr<\/td>\n1\u201921.141<\/td>\nMitch Evans<\/td>\n1\u201921.157<\/td>\n0.016<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2012<\/td>\nMax Chilton<\/td>\n1\u201921.320<\/td>\nJohnny Cecotto Jnr<\/td>\n1\u201921.195<\/td>\n-0.125<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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GP3<\/p>\n\nYear
\nFastest in round one
\nFastest in round two
\nRound two vs Round one
\n<\/tr>\n\n2012<\/td>\nKevin Ceccon<\/td>\n1\u201928.922<\/td>\nAaro Vainio<\/td>\n1\u201928.008<\/td>\n-0.914<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Formula Renault 3.5<\/p>\n\nYear
\nFastest in round one
\nFastest in round two
\nRound two vs Round one
\n<\/tr>\n\n2015<\/td>\nOliver Rowland<\/td>\n1\u201924.370<\/td>\nJazeman Jaafar<\/td>\n1\u201923.425<\/td>\n-0.945<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2014<\/td>\nCarlos Sainz<\/td>\n1\u201923.873<\/td>\nNorman Nato<\/td>\n1\u201923.209<\/td>\n-0.664<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2013<\/td>\nJazeman Jaafar<\/td>\n1\u201923.648<\/td>\nNico Mueller<\/td>\n1\u201923.453<\/td>\n-0.195<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2012<\/td>\nSam Bird<\/td>\n1\u201922.163<\/td>\nAlexander Rossi<\/td>\n1\u201922.863<\/td>\n0.7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2011<\/td>\nDaniel Ricciardo<\/td>\n1\u201926.427<\/td>\nBrendon Hartley<\/td>\n1\u201926.464<\/td>\n0.037<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2010<\/td>\nMikhail Aleshin<\/td>\n1\u201927.011<\/td>\nDaniel Ricciardo<\/td>\n1\u201926.230<\/td>\n-0.781<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2009<\/td>\nJames Walker<\/td>\n1\u201927.495<\/td>\nOliver Turvey<\/td>\n1\u201926.657<\/td>\n-0.838<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2008<\/td>\nGiedo van der Garde<\/td>\n1\u201944.490<\/td>\nCharles Pic<\/td>\n1\u201934.641<\/td>\n-9.849<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2007<\/td>\nAlvaro Parente<\/td>\n1\u201925.815<\/td>\nSebastian Vettel<\/td>\n1\u201925.966<\/td>\n0.151<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2006<\/td>\nPastor Maldonado<\/td>\n1\u201925.840<\/td>\nChristian Montanari<\/td>\n1\u201925.390<\/td>\n-0.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2005<\/td>\nJaap van Lagen<\/td>\n1\u201925.655<\/td>\nChristian Montanari<\/td>\n1\u201925.465<\/td>\n-0.19<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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2025 Monaco Grand Prix
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