Categories: 2016 SeasonF1 News, Reports and Race Results

F1 looking to tweak elimination-based qualifying for Bahrain

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With votes from the FIA World Motor Sport Council and F1 Commission just hours away, Formula 1 is considering changes to its new qualifying format rather than scrapping it altogether.

On the back of last Saturday's Australian GP marked by the untimely demise of several drivers in Q1 and Q2, and a ridiculously quiet Q3, with most drivers refusing to run in order to preserve tyres, it was believed that F1 would revert back to the previous qualifying system.

Indeed Bernie Ecclestone himself, a keen observer from his London home last weekend, called for team bosses to meet in Melbourne on Sunday morning and decide to throw away the new elimination-based scheme.

While unanimous consent within the Strategy Group and F1 Commission is necessary for change, several parties, notably Pirelli and Force India, believe a U-turn on qualifying is premature and wish to trial the system a little longer, or perhaps apply only minor changes which would address the problems encountered in Melbourne.

Therefore, a compromise for Bahrain is foreseen later today by which the elimination principle would remain in force in Q1 and Q2, but only by extending drivers' running time before a knock-out comes into effect. And subsequently, Q3 would be run under the rules of the traditional system.

It remains to be seen however if the compromise for Bahrain would become the de facto qualifying format for the remainder of the season, or if F1 chiefs would implement further changes as a permanent fix for 2016.

Scene at the Australian Grand Prix

Australian Grand Prix - Quotes of the weekend

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.