F1 team heads agree unanimously to revert to old qualifying format
Formula 1 qualifying is likely to revert back to the old system from the Bahrain Grand Prix, following a meeting of team principals and managers in the paddock ahead of Sunday's Australian Grand Prix
The emergency meeting was held after the new style elimination format proved to be an unmitigated disaster after it ran for the first time on Saturday.
Speaking to , Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff said: "There was a meeting, with a unanimous decision taken to go back to the old format from Bahrain onwards.
"It needs to be ratified by the F1 Commission, but I would like to see who puts his hand up for yesterday's qualifying. It should be done in the next few days."
Asked whether there was any argument against, such as retaining Q1 and Q2 in its current guise, and switching Q3 only to the old format to ensure there would be action throughout, Wolff replied: "There were positive discussions.
"There were some teams who thought Q1 and Q2 would shake up things and would be interesting, but fundamentally common sense prevailed.
"We are now back to something we understand, where we have regulations and not reinvent something new.
"We would look really silly if there was a new compromise for next week, and then again we didn't like it."
As to whether the system is in place for the remainder of the season, Wolff said: "That's what we've decided, and maybe we will look at it again for next year."
Team bosses and drivers throughout the paddock slated the knockout system, with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone even telling he felt it was .
The first attempt at running the revamped system led to a lack of time and tyres to allow drivers to react to ending up 'on the bubble' in the 90-second elimination windows, resulting in large periods with no track action.
Previous article
What we've learned in Melbourne so far
Next article
Bottas gets gearbox penalty, Williams reprimanded over set-up info
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Author | Ian Parkes |
Starting Grid for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
The clues Hamilton’s F1 contract afterthought gives to his future
The Formula 1 world reacted with surprise when it learned Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited new Mercedes deal guarantees his presence on the grid only until the end of 2021. Both parties claimed publicly they were happy with the arrangement but, asks MARK GALLAGHER, is there more to it than that?
How a harshly ejected Red Bull star has been hooked by racing again
Driver-turned-DJ Jaime Alguersuari lost his love for motorsport when he was booted out of Formula 1 just as he was starting to polish his rough edges. Having drifted from category to category then turned his back on racing altogether in 2015, he’s come full circle and is planning a return in karts for fun
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well-aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead on pace. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping
Why Tsunoda can become Japan’s greatest F1 talent
While Japan's fever for motor racing is well-documented, the country has yet to produce a Formula 1 superstar – but that could be about to change, says BEN EDWARDS
Why the demise of F1's hypocritical spending habit is cause for celebration
For too long, F1's richest teams have justified being able to spend as much as they want because that's the way they've always conducted their business. STUART CODLING says that's no reason not to kick a bad habit
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is not guaranteed
