F1 set to revert to 2015 qualifying format
F1 is set to revert to the 2015 qualifying format from the Chinese Grand Prix after the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone agreed to a request from teams, Motorsport.com has learned.
After an intense day of political intrigue, a breakthrough to solve the farce surrounding qualifying has finally been made.
Sources have revealed that following a letter from all teams requesting F1 immediately goes back to the 2015 system, it was decided by the FIA that there was no point in pursuing other options.
F1 teams had been expected to vote on a new aggregate idea on Thursday, but the situation took a dramatic twist when it emerged that they had written to the sport's chiefs.
In the letter from all 11 teams to the FIA, Bernie Ecclestone and Jean Todt they made clear that they were only interested in reverting to the 2015 format.
In light of that unanimous stance, it became clear that the FIA had a choice of either standing firm and leaving the sport unable to change elimination qualifying, or agreeing to what the teams wanted.
In the end sources suggest that following discussions between Jean Todt and Bernie Ecclestone, it was agreed that the only sensible solution would be to go back to the 2015 rules.
An official process will now begin for the rule changes to be put through the F1 Strategy Group and F1 Commission, so the changes can be ratified by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council.
This should be able to get completed before the Chinese GP.
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