http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/10/3...hanges-austin/
The stewards of the United States Grand Prix have confirmed details of revisions to the qualifying procedure due to the reduced field of 18 teams owing to the absence of Marussia and Caterham.
This has been necessary as the FIA Sporting Regulations are written on the assumption that a minimum of 22 cars will compete, with six being eliminated in Q1 and a further six in Q2.
The stewards have ruled that four drivers will be eliminated in both Q1 and Q2, leaving ten cars to participate in Q3 as usual.
In a statement the stewards said: “In view of the non-participation of two teams in the 2014 United States Grand Prix, the Stewards have been requested to clarify the format for Qualifying Practice.
“Accordingly, under the authority granted to the stewards in Article 11.9 of the International Sporting Code, and having regard to the principles established in the Formula One Sporting Regulations Article 33.1, the stewards decide that the slowest four cars in Q1 will prohibited from taking any further part in the session, and the slowest four cars in Q2 will likewise be prohibited from taking any further part in the session.”