F1 fails to reach qualifying agreement

Sunday’s talks at the Sakhir circuit failed to deliver a new qualifying format for Formula 1 with another meeting set to take place on Thursday.

The 11 team bosses met with FIA President Jean Todt, Bernie Ecclestone and Pirelli’s Paul Hembery for a 90-minute meeting on Sunday morning.

However, instead of a new format, there’s a new meeting.

“The bottom line is if we don’t agree to a compromise then we are stuck with what we have got and I think everyone agrees that what we currently have isn’t right,” Christian Horner told Sky Sports News HQ.

“We’ve got a proposal on the table to vote on by Thursday and hopefully we can find a sensible conclusion that gives the right thing for the fans.”

The one proposal that won’t be on Thursday’s agenda is the possibility of reverting to the 2015 format.

Instead a new aggregate proposal is on the table.

Qualifying will be run as it was in 2015 but drivers will each have to do two hot laps with their times aggregated.

“It’s a compromise, and something now we all have to go away and have a look at,” Horner told Autosport.

“No-one likes the current system, so this idea is a step in the right direction.

“It at least has elements of the 2015 system, which is what the teams prefer, but with the addition of each driver needing to do two laps, and with the aggregate taken.”

Todt is confident that by Thursday there will be a solution in place.

“There is a new proposal and by Thursday we should have a final outcome,” Todt said.

“You need to be a little patient and look forward to a good race today, and by Thursday you will have all the information. I hope the fans will be happy with it. I think I’ve said enough.”