Elimination-style quali stays in place for Bahrain

  • Published on 25 Mar 2016 08:31
  • comments 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)

Replies (10)

Login to reply
  • 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
    • 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
    • ....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

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 12:47

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 12:47

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
show sidebar