F1 revert to old qualifying system

Formula 1 qualifying will go back to 2015’s system after teams and drivers demanded the new elimination-style method to be changed.

The new system, introduced in Australia, has failed spectacularly so far as drivers and teams struggled to come to terms with it.

FIA boss Jean Todt and F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone had planned on introducing a new aggregate system – where the average of a drivers’ best two times define the grid.

But the teams rejected this idea overwhelmingly and the old system will be brought back for the Chinese Grand Prix.

"People seem to forget what we are trying to do, which is muddle the grid up a little bit because what we have seen doesn't make for much excitement,” Ecclestone told Autosport.

"Lewis [Hamilton] has helped us a bit this season by not making good starts and having to come through the field, and Ferrari finally seems to have got his act together, so maybe things will change.

"Unless we can get everybody on board with regard to a new format then we are not going to find an answer. It's as simple as that."

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