Disastrous New F1 Qualifying Format Is Coming Back For Next Race

The new-for-2016 F1 elimination-style qualifying format was introduced in Australia and, quite simply, bombed.

F1 teams and bosses agreed immediately after its debut to scrap it and return to the old, well-liked system. “Hurray”, we thought. Back to normality. But, this weird tale has taken another turn.

To recap: for this year a new format for qualifying has been brought in where after several minutes of running, drivers are eliminated every 90 seconds. Seven drivers drop out in Q1 and the same number in Q2, leaving eight to fight in Q3.

Running takes place for five minutes in the final session before drivers are eliminated every 90 seconds. The theory was that the top two drivers would fight for pole position in the final minute and a half but in Australia, this failed to happen.

Despite a frantic start to Q1 and Q2, the end of the sessions were dull, with drivers climbing out of their cars and watching as they dropped out. It was boring, uneventful and sparked outrage from drivers, fans and even the team bosses who ironically voted to introduce it.

Having said afterwards that it would be binned and the old format would return, Bernie Ecclestone now says the elimination-style system will remain for the next race.

The Bahrain Grand Prix, which takes place next weekend, will use the new format. Other options and possibilities will then be explored, from reverting to the old system to tweaking the new one.

Ecclestone told Reuters:

“The outcome I think is that we are going to stay as we are. After Bahrain, we’re going to have a look at it.”

The news emerged just one day after the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association complained about the “obsolete and ill-structured” rule-making process and urged owners and stakeholders to restructure its governance, after the “disruptive” introduction of several new rules.