– The FIA has approved tweaks to the qualifying format ahead of this weekend's season opener in Australia. Team bosses met with the governing body during the final pre-season test in Bahrain to discuss potential improvements to Q3, with tyre-saving a common occurrence in the final qualifying phase last season. Drivers who make it through to Q3 will now be given an extra set of Pirelli's Option tyre, which must be returned at the end of the session. These drivers will start the race on the tyres they set their best times on in Q2. In addition, Q1 has been shortened from 20 minutes to 18, with Q3 being extended from 10 minutes to 12. This should allow drivers to complete an extra run...
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