The FIA World Touring Car Championship will change its qualifying format from next season to adopt a system similar to Formula One.
The new format was proposed by the FIA Touring Car Commission and approved yesterday by the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Monaco.
The 30-minute qualifying session will be split into two parts: Q1 and Q2. All competitors will take part in the 20-minute Q1; at the end of this period they will return to the pits for a five-minute pause.
Only the drivers who have set the ten fastest laps in Q1 will participate in the 10-minute Q2. Their times in Q2 will determine the first ten grid positions for Race 1.
The grid positions from 11th downwards will be determined by the lap times set during Q1 by the other drivers.
Q1 and Q2 will be extended to 30 and 15 minutes respectively in the events held on street circuits, for a total qualifying duration of 45 minutes.
The grid for Race 2 remains based on Race 1 results, with the top eight drivers classified placed in reverse order.


Source: Media FIA EWTCC - 47_WTCC_newsletter_2008.pdf