Stay Of Execution For Controversial F1 Qualifying?

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, F1, AGP. (C)

    The 2016 Formula One season is alive and already there's contention. Mercedes ace Nico Rosberg has the early jump on team mate and reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton by claiming victory at Albert Park and sustaining the momentum harnessed at 2015's season end. Red Bull driver and local hero Daniel Ricciardo absconded with fastest lap whilst passing the chequered flag in fourth place. But what was the post race chat about? Qualifying! That's right. The  new for 2016 elimination style qualifying system.
    The three qualifying sessions remain, but with a twist. After a preordained time in each session, the slowest driver is eliminated every 90 seconds. This system was universally disliked by drivers and the teams, and being trackside, proved confusing for the fans. The commentary revolved around who was the slowest, not who was the quickest. Isn't qualifying all about the fastest cars? Q3 saw no track action with over 3 minutes still to run. Where was that last minute dash for pole that persuades punters to squirm nervously on the ends of their seats? Knowing they could not beat the two Mercedes drivers, Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel was in civvies and team shirt by the chequered in Q3, electing to save a set of tyres for the race. Last year's system would have seen them have a last minute dash for pole. McLaren driver Fernando Alonso suggested the new system favoured the strongest teams. 1996 world champ Damon Hill made the most poignant comment suggesting that pole winner Lewis Hamilton could of waved his own chequered flag.
    An emergency meeting of all team principals was called on Sunday morning. They unanimously voted to go back to last year's qualifying system with immediate effect in time for the next GP at Bahrain. Have they jumped the gun? Is this a knee jerk reaction without thorough evaluation? Should drivers be able to complete their flying laps if started before the clock expires? Haas driver Esteban Gutierrez would certainly have progressed if this was the case. Should we keep the new system for Q1 and Q2, then revert to a shootout for pole in Q3? When the meeting's outcome was announced over the PA trackside, this decision was met with spirited applause by the fans.
    The key word here is ratification. Team principals alone cannot make such decisions. Therefore the powers that be have decreed that the new system will stay for at least the next GP in Bahrain this weekend. Then and only then after proper consultation and evaluation will a definitive qualifying system be adopted for the remainder of the season. 
    As usual, F1 never disappoints.... 
       
    
    

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