Formula 1 is testing a new tire rule in the hunt for a starting place in Hungary. For qualifying on Saturday (4 p.m. / Sky), the teams will be told which rubber compounds they are allowed to use for the three sections. “That helps the big teams,” said Haas driver Kevin Magnussen before the premiere of the format, which was actually supposed to be tested in Imola. However, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix was canceled in May after severe storms.

It is stipulated that the racing teams may only use the hardest and thus most durable tire compound in the first period of qualifying. Bringing this up to the required temperature for fast laps in a short time will probably be difficult for the teams with weaker cars in particular. But Ferrari star Charles Leclerc also said: “It will be difficult. We are not used to driving with the hard tire in qualifying mode.”

In the second run, the 15 fastest drivers then use the medium-hard tire, and in the final, the top ten use the softest compound. For the entire race weekend at the Hungaroring, manufacturer Pirelli only provides the teams with eleven sets of tires instead of the usual 13. The aim of the savings is to increase the sustainability of Formula 1.

Verstappen is the favorite in the race

This rule change is to be tested a second time at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. After that, the World Association, the Formula 1 top and the racing teams decide whether it will be the standard for the coming season. World Championship leader Max Verstappen is the favorite to start qualifying for the eleventh race of the season. The Dutchman recently clinched pole position five times in a row. In addition, Red Bull has once again equipped the car of the double world champion with new components. In training on Friday, however, Verstappen did not get past eleventh place.