In a rare show of unity, Formula 1 team bosses from all 11 teams have joined forces and signed a letter demanding that the FIA ditches the elimination-style qualifying format currently in use, and returns to the previous format used in 2015.
The letter has been sent to FIA president Jean Todt, Bernie Ecclestone and CVC – the former two parties are staunchly against the idea and tabled an alternative proposal of aggregate qualifying, which the teams have also rejected in their letter.
A similar system, whereby two lap times are added together, was last used in 2005, but was ditched after just six races.
Team bosses have reacted angrily to Todt and Ecclestone's refusal to accept that it is in the best interests of the sport to backtrack and return to the Q1, Q2 and Q3 format used successfuly for ten seasons prior to 2016.
Whilst such a show of unity is rare to see, and would be quite powerful under normal circumstances, it isn't enough to force a change in the rules. Due to the nature of the change, it requires unanimous support, which means Todt and Ecclestone must also vote in favour, which seemingly looks impossible at present.
As such, with neither side likely to compromise, it's likely the current format will remain in place for the Chinese Grand Prix in just over a weeks time. That is, unless either the teams or Todt/Ecclestone can be persuaded otherwise.
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