The 2016 Australian Grand Prix will be remembered for two reasons. It was the first Formula One race to use the ridiculous new “musical chairs” qualifying format that saw all 22 cars sitting in the pits during the last 3 minus of the qualifying session. Not exactly the way the leaders of the sport drew it up. The teams had a quick meeting before the start of the race in Melbourne and voted unanimously to revert to the qualifying procedure used the past two years. The change will be effective immediately.
The other big news at this year’s race was the appearance of Haas F1 on the grid. Haas F1 is the first American Formula One team since the ill starred USF1 folded its tent before the season even started back in 2010. Team owner Gene Haas is co-owner of the Stewart Haas NASCAR team. He has been planning to try his hand in Formula One for the past 6 years.
Haas’ best idea yet was … More