Fomula 1’s powerbrokers will hold a teleconference later today to discuss qualifying, in the hope of agreeing upon a new system or whether to keep the current – and much maligned – elimination-style format.
The teams, FIA president Jean Todt, Bernie Ecclestone and other stakeholders including Pirelli and circuit bosses will vote on whether a new system, whereby a driver’s two best laps during each session are added together to give an aggregate time which will decide the grid, is adopted over the current format.
It’s not believed returning to the format used between 2006 and 2015 is currently an option, though if enough pressure is put upon those against that proposal, namely Todt and Ecclestone, then it could be forced through.
The teams previously agreed, unanimously, that returning to the aformentioned format was the preferred option. Todt and Ecclestone blocked that move as both believe a better system, one that creates mixed results, is required.
Any such change requires unanimous support, therefore even if one team votes in the opposite direction – and a number are known to be against the latest aggregate proposal – then the status quo will remain for China.
It’s expected details of the meeting will be confirmed later on Thursday.