F1 news: FIA adjusts tyre rules for sprint qualifying after Baku inters farce

The FIA has made adjustments to the tyre regulations for Formula 1 sprint qualifying following the "unintended consequences" experienced in Baku.

The aim is to prevent teams from using intermediate tyres in dry sessions by implementing these changes.

Originally, the rules required drivers to use new medium tyres in the Saturday SQ1 and SQ2 sessions, followed by new soft tyres in SQ3.

However, teams realized they didn't need to save a set of new soft tyres for SQ3 if they could benefit from using them earlier in the weekend, such as in FP1 or Friday's qualifying session.

In the Baku event, Yuki Tsunoda and Lando Norris used up all their soft tyres before the sprint qualifying session. Tsunoda didn't make it to SQ3, while Norris did.

McLaren had the option for Norris to use intermediates, allowed under the rules if two drivers in the same situation reached SQ3. However, as Norris didn't need to run, he remained in the garage and qualified 10th.

The use of intermediates in dry conditions was seen as farcical, prompting the necessary adjustments. The revised rules now permit drivers to use any set of soft tyres in SQ3.

This means they can still take the risk of using all their new softs before sprint qualifying, knowing they can participate in SQ3 even with used soft tyres.

The FIA aims to address the unintended consequences and maintain fair competition.

F1 race director Niels Wittich wrote: "In order to avoid the acknowledged unintended consequence whereby in certain situations at sprint events it becomes attractive to run intermediate tyres on a dry track, the following amendment to Article 30.5.h of the Formula 1 sporting regulations is made.

"Consultation has occurred with the commercial rights holder, stewards and teams. The agreement of the FIA, the commercial rights holder and nine competitors has been obtained in accordance with Article 1.4.

"Accordingly, my decision is that Article 30.5 h) iv) be modified to read as follows - Article 30.5h iv revised wording:

"In the period SQ3 of the sprint shootout, up to one set of dry-weather tyres may be used, and this must only be a set of the soft specification."