Whilst Sebastian Vettel might have topped the timesheets in Barcelona today, Lewis Hamilton's 156 trouble-free laps will have sent a shiver through Bernie Ecclestone, CVC and many others.

It's early days, but already it is clear that Mercedes remains the benchmark.

Consequently, when the controversial Strategy Group meets in Geneva tomorrow, events taking place in Spain might well influence a move that might push some fans just a little too far.

In the quest to 'spice up' the sport, Bernie Ecclestone's proposal of reversed grids is to be discussed, and if successful could be introduced in time for Melbourne.

"We need more competitive racing," the F1 supremo told the Daily Mail. "I would keep qualifying as it is. The guy who is quickest would still have his number of poles recorded for history. But then he could start, say, tenth based on his pole and where he stands in the championship. We are looking at exactly how we could do it.

"The guy who is third fastest in qualifying would start, say seventh or eighth. That is better than totally reversed grids because all you get with them is the man at the back getting past the slower guys at the start of the race. This way makes it competitive between guys of similar speed. It won't be easy to get past people.

"The big thing is that it would create debate," he insists. "I would say, 'I think the pole man will win for this reason or that'. You say, 'No, I think so-and-so will win because...' That's what we need. I don't know if we can get it through in time. We'll see."

Speaking to reporters in Spain, Christian Horner revealed that reverse grids will be up for discussion.

"One of the things that will be tabled tomorrow will be something that I think Bernie's quite keen on, which is reversing the top ten and therefore having points for qualifying," said the Red Bull boss. "It will encourage drivers to push on a Saturday and then encourage them to race on a Sunday. I'm sure it will get discussed. Whether that will get agreed or not I really don't know."

Referring to Ecclestone's claim that F1 is the worst it has ever been, Horner said: "Bernie has made up the Formula One brand to what it is today. Of course it has got its issues but fundamentally it is a great show. It has an enormous following around the world, it has a huge fan base and the talent that exists in Formula One is unique in the sporting playing field.

"Could it be better? Of course it could," he admitted. "I don't think Formula One is in crisis but we have got an opportunity to do something really good and hopefully that is not missed."

Also on the agenda is a major overhaul of the rules for 2017, an overhaul that Horner admits is vital.

"We've done all the research, we know the numbers, and you can use whatever excuses you like," he said. "Tomorrow is a great opportunity to do something fantastic for the fans, to push the drivers, to come up with a car that is absolutely spectacular, and I think that's what we should be aiming to do."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by CrisBD, 24/02/2016 5:59

"But some people are worried about faster cars overtaking much slower cars without a fuel flow restriction? Just like Le Mans, lots of faster cars on the same track as much slower cars, and they don't have any problem - which proves this supposed problem is simply an inability to think by the person worrying about it.

To overtake, you need to be faster..."

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2. Posted by CrisBD, 24/02/2016 5:54

"We all need more overtaking. Yet I still have NOT seen a satisfactory explanation for the reason for the fuel flow restriction.

Make every car start with their 100 litres of fuel, allow them to burn fuel at any rate per second they like, and they'll have to balance using it to overtake and the need to get to the end of the race. Then we get more overtaking races - more entertainment..."

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3. Posted by vins0n, 23/02/2016 23:41

""The guy who is third fastest in qualifying would start, say seventh or eighth." or whatever just pick a number. ""Tomorrow is a great opportunity to do something fantastic for the fans." Maybe make it pay per view. Everyone loves that. "

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4. Posted by ryanhellyer, 23/02/2016 8:36

"From the article yesterday, I thought Bernie was suggesting a system which punished drivers based on their position in the world championship, not a direct reversed grid setup."

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5. Posted by mike, 23/02/2016 7:07

"Fix the sport...Make the changes that need to be done...POWER DOWNFORCE NOISE 1000hp TESTING...NOISE NOISE NNNNOOOOIIIISSSSEEEEEE"

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6. Posted by mike, 23/02/2016 5:13

"Yes Horner it is in crisis! NOISE DOWNFORCE HP Simple to me???? "

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7. Posted by Tweek, 22/02/2016 23:23

"Wow. No one has touched on the danger of putting the slower cars in front of the faster ones. There are reasons this practice is not in use in any form of modern motor sport.

Can you imagine 1/2 the f1 grid fighting to get passed inexperienced, underpowered, or aggressive drivers..... Cough Maldonado Cough. "

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8. Posted by Spindoctor, 22/02/2016 23:21

"Barmy Bernie strikes again!
It's reported that he also suggested that Democracy is rubbish, and Putin should be in charge of Europe... '
Nuff said!

It's inconceivable that even notorious toady Christian Horner could say this:
"Bernie has made up the Formula One brand to what it is today. Of course it has got its issues but fundamentally it is a great show...""

The first sentence is correct: Bernie has made F1 what it is today, and that's not a compliment in most people's books. Unfortunately I suspect he means it as one.
Saying If F1 is "fundamentally a great show" is a bit like saying that Manchester United is fundamentally a good team. There are some great players, but the whole thing just fails to gel most of the time.

Bernie has had his day. I'm amazed that CVC continues to tolerate his ridiculous utterances, which vary from Bonkers to Offensive, then back again. I suppose they'll pull the plug when he's run out of Rich dictators to stage races, and the operation has to make a profit in its own right, in civilized countries."

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9. Posted by Yeyox02, 22/02/2016 22:43

" Reversed grids? Is it a joke? It is time for Mr. Ecclestone to leave F1. His brain can not do more, his grey matter is tired. Lack of imagination."

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10. Posted by Ro, 22/02/2016 22:33

"WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS IDEA ! Why not just toss a coin ? "

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11. Posted by Nortim, 22/02/2016 22:05

"I can already see Q3 times slower then me going on bike at same venue. Will they try to be slower as possible so they can start first? Regardless of points in qualies. What a ...

Why not try with putting their numbers in a hat and then take them out one bay one, the last one wins the championship.......lol"

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12. Posted by danielmb, 22/02/2016 21:28

"How about we blindfold the P1 driver until lap 5 and make the P2 car start facing the back of the grid? "

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13. Posted by nonickname, 22/02/2016 19:18

"Thank heavens for MotoGp"

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14. Posted by Rob, 22/02/2016 19:05

"Look on the bright side. We will see much more of the safety car, and which team can change a front wing the quickest. Qualifying at Monaco will be hilarious."

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15. Posted by White Lightning, 22/02/2016 18:57

"Nope. No. Nah. Nyet. Nein. Non.

Stop with the bloody gimmicks."

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Strategy Group to discuss reverse grids

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