Mercedes motorsport Toto Wolff has described the on-going tumult around F1 qualifying as “madness”, with series chiefs scheduled to meet on Thursday to decide on the format for the rest of the season.
After the much-maligned elimination-style system disappointed again at the Bahrain Grand Prix, F1’s key stakeholders convened a meeting ahead of the race to address the issue.
Despite all teams agreeing upon reverting to the 2015 format, no decision was reached following the 90-minute gathering. It soon emerged that the FIA and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone were the ones rejecting the idea of a return to the old system. Instead, they have put forward a new proposal that features aggregate lap times.
When asked about the situation, Wolff, who had previously labeled he knockout qualifying as “rubbish” and said anyone blocking a change should be publicly crucified in the paddock, replied: “Simple explanation? Madness…
“I'm the wrong one to be answering your question. I think we have expressed our opinion and I think all teams have the opinion that we need to be coming back to 2015 but there are various agendas and the meeting [on Sunday] morning showed that it is not an easy one so I can't really help you. Last time I told you, I was totally wrong…”
New qualifying proposal features aggregate times
Ecclestone, FIA will not allow return of 2015 qualifying
No decision reached over F1 qualifying change
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Isack Hadjar was anything but happy after Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix, having seen a potential…
Lewis Hamilton achieved a top-three finish in Sepang on Sunday and yet he knew almost…
The FIA has explained why several Formula 1 cars suddenly lost power on the formation…
George Russell had every reason to feel hard done by after Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix…
Max Verstappen’s path to victory at Sepng was nearly derailed before he could even complete…
The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia finally got under way after a lengthy delay,…