Qualifying in 1996: This is the Pinnacle

ATLAS TEAM F1
Qualifying in 1996: This is the Pinnacle
by Robert C. Balling, Jr.
U. S. A.

Pre-qualifying on Friday morning, qualifying on Friday afternoon, more qualifying on Saturday: all relegated to our collective Formula One memory. The 1996 season gives us a new perspective on qualifying. Now it's a one shot, get it done world, and those who cannot stay within 107 percent of the pole time can say good-bye and get ready for the next race.

The new rules, in my opinion, are most appropriate for the series that is at the pinnacle of motor racing. In America, the various open-wheel series allow any piece of junk in the race in an obvious attempt to increase the number of cars in the race, and therefore, an indication of the "health" of the series. The old boys at NASCAR still allow that peculiar "provisional" starting position for teams with pathetic qualifying efforts. But Formula One has put even more teeth in their qualifying efforts. In 1996, you either perform or you're appropriately out. Those moving chicanes of the past are now off the track, apologizing to sponsors, and looking for early flights out of town.

 
I will always believe that a quality Formula One driver is as interested in out-qualifying their teammate as they are in placing well in the Grand Prix. With that assumption, let's look at what happened in Melbourne:

Two drivers must have felt total elation following their qualifying efforts in Australia. Obviously, Jacques Villeneuve was thrilled to start from the pole in his first race and out-qualify Damon Hill. More than that, how happy is Eddie Irvine? Eddie is driving a Ferrari (which should thrill any human) and he goes faster than Michael Schumacher. He is the big winner in Melbourne, irrespective of the outcome of the Sunday drive.

Other big winners this week included Mika Hakkinen, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, and Rubens Barrichello. Big losers in Australia had to be David Coulthard and Johnny Herbert. Frentzen was dominating last year on Saturday, but his competition was often suspect. This year, he must deal with Herbert, and after week number one... nothing has changed. Frentzen may profess a loyalty to Sauber, but he remains one of the great talents back in the pack. Coulthard and Herbert better find the pedal soon, or they may be watching Formula One from the outside of the fence.

Qualifying in 1996 is going to be more intense than ever, and the Atlas Team should remain your source for results and analysis.


Robert C. Balling, Jr.
Send comments to:robert.balling@asu.edu