107% qualifying rule to return in 2011

The 107% rule in qualifying will return to the rulebook in 2011, the World Motor Sport council announced today. As such the FIA attempts to limit traffic and problems with back-markers during the race.

The rule was first introduced in 1996 and scrapped again after 2002. It prevents cars that are more than 7% slower during qualifying to take part in the race. Exceptionally however, stewards may decide to override this rule based on free practice times.

An official statement reads: "From 2011, any driver whose best qualifying lap exceeds 107 per cent of the fastest Q1 qualifying time will not be allowed to take part in the race."

"Under exceptional circumstances, however, which may include setting a suitable laptime in a free practice session, the stewards may permit the car to start the race. Should there be more than one driver accepted in this manner, the grid order will be determined by the stewards."

At the same time a decision was also made to prevent cars from ruining the laps of their rivals during qualifying. As of now, the stewards will have a look at cars that drive unnecessarily slow during any time in qualifying, no matter if it concerns flying laps, in-laps or out-laps.

"With immediate effect, any car being driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically, or which is deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers, will be reported to the stewards. This will apply whether any such car is being driven on the track, the pit entry or the pit lane.

"In order to ensure cars are not driven unnecessarily slowly on in-laps during qualifying or reconnaissance laps when the pit exit is opened for the race, drivers must stay below the maximum time set by the FIA between the safety car line after the pit exit and safety car line before the pit entry.

"The maximum time will be determined by the race director at each event prior to the first day of practice, but may be amended during the event if necessary."