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Elimination-style quali stays in place for Bahrain

Published on 25 Mar 2016 08:31
10
By: Rob Veenstra

The controversial and unpopular 'musical chairs' qualifying format will decide the grid for next weekend's Bahrain grand prix. That is despite the fact the new concept, featuring 90-second countdown eliminations, was widely declared an unmitigated failure on debut in Melbourne.

Team bosses voted before the race on Sunday to revert to the popular 2015 format, but the change also needed to progress through the F1 Commission. "The teams are discussing it but to go back there is no unanimity," F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, apparently referring to his and FIA president Jean Todt's vote in the F1 Commission, told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The F1 Commission, also featuring race promoters and sponsors, was asked to vote on the matter via fax by Thursday, and the result is that the existing rules are staying in force for now. "We have not acted rashly so the format remains unchanged, at least for the next race in Bahrain," Ecclestone is quoted by Germany's Auto Bild Motorsport. "After that we can look again at what makes sense."

Many fans, however, are outraged that their wishes and those of the team bosses have been overruled. 1992 world champion Nigel Mansell declared on Twitter: "I wonder why the rule makers of any sport don't consult the fans for their suggestions." An unnamed team boss went further, predicting a repeat of the Melbourne backlash. "Now we will still be screaming bloody murder in Bahrain," he was quoted by Auto Bild.

The press is also unimpressed, with the Times' Kevin Eason surmising: "As U-turns go, this was in the brake-screeching and stomach-churning category." Bild newspaper added: "Regarding this decision, one can only shake your head." (GMM)

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Replies (10)

mclarenfan1968

Posts: 1,027
Damn shame
- + 0
- Mar 25 2016 - 12:09
Barron

Posts: 625
I thought quallie 1&2 was OK. It was just Q3 that was wrong. To coin a popular term, perhaps we should have had a "hybrid" for Bahrain with a combination of "it's a knockout" 1&2 from Oz and the old Q3 format. Hello? Anyone from FOM/FIA listening?
- + 0
- Mar 25 2016 - 15:58
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I agree, its the only rational thing to do if they want to keep this new quali system. And give teams more softs and perhaps even penalize pit-sitters so we constantly have cars out or something.
  + 0
  
  Mar 25 2016 - 16:41
mbmwe36

Posts: 533
A mix between the two would probably be ideal. Either way, it doesn't make much of a difference. But the constant rule changes need to stop, it is completely ridiculous.
- + 0
- Mar 25 2016 - 18:09
khasmir

Posts: 893
What can I say? I'll stick to shaking my head in disbelief...
- + 0
- Mar 25 2016 - 18:19
f1dave

Posts: 782
Of course it's F1 so everything might change again, and again, and again, right up untill the lights go out.
- + 0
- Mar 25 2016 - 19:43
Exqiu

Posts: 14
The new qualy style is good as long as they allow the drivers in the 90s countdown to finish the damn lap.
- + 0
- Mar 25 2016 - 20:07
Pompey

Posts: 84
Where have all the brains gone?
- + 0
- Mar 26 2016 - 00:46
- mclarenfan1968
  
  Posts: 1,027
  ....probably because there were none to begin with?
  + 0
  
  Mar 26 2016 - 03:14
Hepp

Posts: 200
For fans: allow all cars 5 sets of tires for FP1, 4 sets for FP2, 3 sets for FP3, 2 sets for Q1, 2 sets for Q2 1 set for Q3. 4 sets for the race. Q1 is the best averaged 4 laps per car. Q2 is the same. Q3 is the best averaged 2 laps.
- + 0
- Mar 26 2016 - 20:44