Controversial Aggregate Qualifying System Scrapped

Photo: Honda

SUPER GT organizers have made the decision to scrap the controversial aggregate qualifying system for the upcoming season.

GTA chairman Masaaki Bandoh revealed the news on Friday at the Osaka Auto Messe, stating that qualifying will revert to the knockout format used up until 2023 when the new campaign kicks off at Okayama International Circuit in April.

Aggregate qualifying proved to be unpopular with competitors and fans alike last year, as did the provision that forced teams to use the same set of tires for both segments of qualifying that was ultimately axed as part of a revamp mid-season.

Despite criticism that the system was difficult to understand and in some cases unfair, the GTA resisted calls to revert to knockout qualifying mid-season on the grounds that such a significant change should not be made while the championship was in progress.

Bandoh even suggested in his regular press conference in last December’s Suzuka finale that the system was likely to remain in place for a second year.

Further details of the 2025 qualifying system are expected to be confirmed by SUPER GT in the near future, but Bandoh suggested that the number of cars progressing through to Q2 is likely to be increased compared to the 2023 system.

That year, eight out of 15 cars in GT500 would progress to the pole shootout, while 16 cars in GT300 out of a field of 27 (reduced to 25 following the mid-season withdrawal of Max Racing and Tsuchiya Engineering) would clear Q1.