07/04/2016
NEWS STORY
In an unprecedented move all eleven teams have united in calling for the return of the 2015 qualifying format.
Ahead of today's meeting with Bernie Ecclestone and Jean Todt, all eleven teams have issued a letter in which they demand the return of the 2015 qualifying format.
The letter plays on the fact that it is signed by all eleven teams, a sign of total unanimity almost unheard of in the sport.
Then again, all eleven teams were in agreement when they met up in Melbourne hours ahead of the season opening race following the debacle witnessed the day before.
Since then, Ecclestone, initially a fierce critic of the new format has backtracked whilst (FIA president) Jean Todt is standing firm.
At a meeting ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix a return to the old format wasn't even on the table, Todt initially pushing a hybrid version before suggesting an alternative format which would be based on aggregate times.
With Bernie Ecclestone seeing the team's unhappiness with the new format part of some sort of agenda, and the F1 supremo determined not to give any further ground to the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari, the sport could well be facing stalemate with neither side wanting to give way.
However, other than the teams, the new format has been unpopular with drivers, fans and broadcasters, who cannot be accused of having an agenda.
If agreement is not reached today it is likely that the format witnessed in Melbourne and Bahrain will remain in place for China.