Bahrain sessions conclude with no cars on track at end of Q1 & Q2
Monday 4 April 2016 14:32, UK
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and McLaren counterpart Eric Boullier have demanded F1 scrap its controversial elimination-style format for qualifying.
The widely-criticised knockout system which debuted in Australia was used again in Bahrain after the teams failed to unanimously agree to a change.
Rule changes in season require the approval of all teams, followed by a majority in the F1 Commission.
"If somebody puts a block in the system to make us stuck we should publicly crucify them in the paddock," said an angry Wolff in his most outspoken comments yet against the current format.
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FIA president Jean Todt said he felt Q1 and Q2 worked well in the new qualifying system and only Q3 would need revisions, but Wolff doesn't believe any component of the format can be salvaged.
"I think after [Saturday's] Q1 and Q2 I don't see how we would want to go back there," the Mercedes team principal added.
"It is very difficult to see who is in it, who is out and I think we should simplify the sport rather than add to the complexity. It doesn't mix up the field in a way that would make it more entertaining."
McLaren's racing director Eric Boullier was also scathing in his condemnation of the new system.
"I think it was worse than Australia, there were less cars on track today. As far as we are concerned at McLaren, only one set of tyres in Q2 and do your lap and just sit in the garage, which is a bit of a curse.
"We took a position in Australia, we had the meeting and we unanimously agreed to revert back to last year. Since then there was a different process, but I think we will stick with this position.
"You need to have a majority in the F1 Commission, but you need to have unanimity within the teams. We voted in Australia, we were unanimous with the fact that we wanted to revert back, so then we just need a majority including FOM, promoters and the FIA at the F1 Commission and we could revert back to last year's system."
A former racer himself, Wolff is fed up of F1's politics and wants to be able to focus on the sporting side.
"It seems that it has increased to a level where it is 90 per cent politics and off-track discussions, qualifying formats and terrible ideas," the Austrian said.
"Hopefully soon we can get back to the sport."
