As I was watching qualifying this morning, the commentators kept mentioning the 107% Rule and both of the Arrows drivers were mentioned as being in fault of the 107% rule. What is this?

 

John, all cars muct qualify within 107% of time of the fastest qualifier. This is for safety and dates beck to the time there were over 32 cars trying to qualify for the race. First, there would be a pre-qualifying sessions for the back markers and no hopers (Andrea Moda and others). The fastest the backmarkers would then go to regular qualifying, but if they failed to go faster than 107% of the fastest time they were excluded. These days, with the shortage of cars, the 107% rule is usually waived if the car has shown good speed in open practice. Arrows didn't participate in open practice and failed the meet the 107% rule, so there will only be 20 cars for the race. Frentzen will replace Fisichella in the Jordan.

 

Ah, thanks for the explanation Lynn .