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Toto Wolff worries about elimination style qualifying in Bahrain - New format set to go ahead despite concerns

Published by Christine

Toto Wolff worries about elimination style qualifying in Bahrain
Credit: Mercedes AMG
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The new elimination format of qualifying that was introduced in Australia failed to live up to expectations and was frowned upon by everyone in the paddock. After team bosses got together and said they would revert to last year’s format going forward, it emerged that the elimination style would have to continue – as they couldn’t get a unanimous agreement from teams, the governing body and the commercial rights holder.

Ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said: “We haven’t found the right format with this change and it’s hard to see how it might be more entertaining for the fans this weekend in Bahrain.” He also pointed out how simple the idea behind F1 is: “The fans want close racing, in a format they can understand, between the best drivers and cars in the world – in that order. We should be capable of delivering that to the people in the grandstands and watching around the world.”

Of course for Mercedes, it doesn’t really matter what the format of qualifying is, as they managed to lock out the front row in Australia without even trying.