Qualifying: The Formula 1 threatens a power struggle – SPIEGEL ONLINE

On April 3, the second race of the Formula 1 season will run in Bahrain. Who then is allowed to start from pole position, is already decided on the day in qualifying. Whether it is but actually to be sporting excretion, is uncertain after the new developments

The Formula 1 Commission -. Consisting of the eleven teams, the World Association Fia, engine manufacturers, some racing circuit owners, the rights holder CVC, tire manufacturers Pirelli and sponsors – has decided for now to stay with the newly introduced qualifying. It is a split into three phases knockout mode where every 90 seconds a driver retires. What should guarantee voltage, caused an early end – officially to conserve tires.

With the retention of the new session to ask the governing body against the fierce attacks from the paddock, many team managers spoke out after the failed debut at the Australian Grand Prix for a return to the system in recent years. The renewed backward roll was commented on critically by many Formula 1 experts.

The Commission should have decided the return unanimously, for the influence of the team leaders do not seem to be sufficient. Promoter Bernie Ecclestone had already made an agreement, which seemed secure in question at the beginning of the day. “The teams discuss, but unanimity for a step back is not there,” he told the ‘Gazzetta dello Sport’. “If I had to tell an opinion at this moment, I would say that things continue as in Australia.”

Ecclestone power in Formula 1 is lowered, but the 85-year-old still has enough influence to prevent rule modifications. However, thus threatening a power struggle with the drivers. Led by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, most pilots had already been critical in Australia. “I do not know why everyone is so surprised,” said Vettel. “We have said that it is so that the format does not work.”

Open letter as a challenge

On Wednesday, the driver still went then a step further and formulated an open letter to the owners and managers of formula 1. “the drivers have come to the conclusion that the decision process is obsolete in the sport and poorly structured, so that progress can be prevented,” wrote the three directors of the union the pilots (GPDA), Vettel, Jenson button and Alex Wurz. Some rule changes would have “devastating impact on the Formula 1″, the report said.

Thus, the new qualifying meant that now gets a second chance in Bahrain. “After that we will look at rest, whether it was the right thing or the wrong thing,” Ecclestone told the British magazine “Autosport” according to the Commission’s decision. During the day, rumors had spread, there could be a hybrid solution with new rules in the first two qualifying phases and the old mode in the third phase in the second race of the season. This appears to have been rejected, but after the experience of Australia about the next farce.

For drivers and teams sit in implementing the whip hand. No one can prevent the pilot to bring their race cars after a successful round on Saturday in qualifying Bahrain and thus provide a similar empty track like in Melbourne.

Such a picture might not like also Ecclestone and his colleagues. And the power struggle was going into the next round.

Formula 1 season 2016

The teams and drivers

Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg
Ferrari
Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen
Williams
Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas
Red Bull
Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kwjat
Force India
Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Pérez
Renault
Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer
Toro Rosso
Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz jr.
Clean
Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr
McLaren Honda
Fernando Alonso and Jenson button
Manor
Rio Haryanto and Pascal Wehrlein
Haas
Romain Grosjean and Esteban Gutierrez

The race calendar

The records

  Most world title
Michael Schumacher (7)
Most Grand Prix wins
Michael Schumacher (91)
The most wins in a season
Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel (both 13)
most start-finish victory
Ayrton Senna (19)
most podiums
Michael Schumacher (155)
most podiums in a season
Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel (17 each)
most pole positions
Michael Schumacher (68)
most pole positions in a season
Sebastian Vettel (15)
The fastest laps
Michael Schumacher (77)
most Grand Prix starts
Rubens Barrichello (323)