F1 teams have unanimously written to the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone to demand the 2015 qualifying format is reinstated.
The teams met on Thursday to discuss potential changes to the qualifying format following a meeting with Ecclestone, FIA president Jean Todt and a representative from Pirelli in Bahrain on Sunday. At Sunday's meeting, the idea of reverting to the 2015 qualifying format - something all the teams agreed upon - was not tabled as an option by Ecclestone and Todt.
At the time it was suggested the teams would analyse other potential qualifying formats which included an aggregate system. They would then meet on Thursday to discuss the proposals and deliver their unanimous backing for what they would like to see.
However, in an apparent act of defiance, the BBC reports the teams have agreed to demand the return of the 2015 format despite Todt and Ecclestone's lack of acceptance on Sunday.
The move leaves the qualifying format in limbo. If Todt and Ecclestone do not agree to the demands of the teams, the current elimination style qualifying system will remain in place. The teams' letter makes it clear that is not what they want to see.
One concession the teams have made in the letter is the proposal to test radical new qualifying ideas later in the season if the world championships have been decided.
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS - Bahrain Grand Prix
Scene at the Bahrain Grand Prix
Bahrain Grand Prix - Quotes of the weekend
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