Qualifying to Stay the Same at German GP

Formula One's controversial qualifying format is set to stay the same at next week's German Grand Prix, the sport's governing body said on Thursday.

A spokesman for the International Automobile Federation (FIA) said qualifying procedures were being discussed but all the teams must agree on change.

"We have not yet received that unanimous support," he said.

FIA president Max Mosley wrote to teams last week saying that a new format - of two 25 minute sessions with the starting grid determined by aggregate times - could be introduced if there was unanimous agreement.

The spokesman said however that there had been only a 'limited response' to the letter.

Criticism of the current single-shot format increased after the pre-qualifying at last weekend's British Grand Prix when drivers deliberately went slow to try and secure an earlier start in qualifying proper and beat expected showers.

"It needs changing," commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone said after that go-slow session. "It's a joke. I shall push for change for the next race. The fans have paid good money to watch the cars go as quickly as possible and they were cheated."

Ecclestone had already seen his proposals to change qualifying in time for Silverstone rejected at a meeting of the FIA's Formula One commission in London last month despite team bosses previously agreeing to them.