Wolff not expecting qualifying improvement

By on Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Mercedes AMG Petronas

Mercedes AMG Petronas

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff doubts that this weekend's qualifying session at the Bahrain Grand Prix will be more entertaining, after the new format was heavily criticised in Australia.

Under revised 2016 regulations, drivers are eliminated at 90-second intervals throughout Q1, Q2 and Q3, leaving only two drivers to battle for pole position at the end of the session.

However, tyre and fuel limitations meant that drivers often remained in the pits, leaving to an anti-climax, as no-one was on-track at the end of Q3.

Teams agreed to revert back to the 2015 format in the immediate aftermath but the required unanimity did not happen at a vote last week and the format will be retained this weekend at Sakhir.

"This weekend we will see the new qualifying system continue after a less-than-impressive debut in Australia," said Wolff.

"The teams were unanimous in their opinion of it on Sunday in Melbourne and it wasn't a positive opinion.

"We haven't found the right format with this change and it's hard to see how it might be more entertaining for the fans this weekend in Bahrain.

"The sport is under scrutiny on this matter, so careful thought is required in order to make coordinated, intelligent steps forward from the position we are in right now.

"The fans want close racing, in a format they can understand, between the best drivers and cars in the world - in that order. We should be capable of delivering that to the people in the grandstands and watching around the world."


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