FIA's proposal for new qualifying format likely to be even more of a turn off.

Though Jean Todt insisted reporters be patient and wait until Thursday for details of his proposed new qualifying format, details are already beginning to emerge... and it's not good.

It is understood the new format would see each driver's best two times added together and their final time being based on the aggregate. This would be the format for each sector.

Consequently, instead of the absolutely rubbish system at present, whereby viewers are left to watch empty tarmac for minutes on end and drivers are already walking down the pitlane or to their motorhomes before being officially declared eliminated, we would have a format whereby viewers would need to sit waiting with a calculator.

Instead of the sheer thrill of watching a last minute pole-grabbing banzai lap, a la Lewis Hamilton yesterday, fans would need to have the details of his previous best lap in order to do the math.

Indeed, as Tobi Grüner of Auto Motor und Sport points out, based on the proposed format Nico Rosberg would be on pole today.

It's as if someone is deliberately trying to come up with the worst format ever.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by koko, 04/04/2016 13:55

"Leave the qualifying as it used to be. Even with Qs ... just award some points (5?) for pole and 1 point for fastest lap in the race. This way, you'll make sure they will fight for it ...

on one hand, you make the races more strategic (motivating the drivers not to push because they have to keep their tyres and engines) and on the other hand you want a show? C'mon!"

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2. Posted by imejl99, 04/04/2016 7:22

"really don`t care... As "ape" wrote, my weekends are free now. Cycling with my kids, there`s no format that will top that. "

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3. Posted by Forbesy, 03/04/2016 20:55

"Come on, 1 hour on Saturday afternoon, 12 laps each, how hard can that be? Maybe an hour and 12 laps on Friday afternoon as well. Fastest single time of all gets pole. Easy."

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4. Posted by oldestmike, 03/04/2016 20:42

"I think that, if they want entertainment, put Ecclestone and Todt on the S/F line, and let the spectators throw pies at 'em. They might just, eventually, get the idea that we folks who pay for all this nonsense AREN'T HAPPY.
"

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5. Posted by Ignatz, 03/04/2016 17:22

"If they want entertaining - let's run three short (5 laps) heat races. Top two in each heat start in one of the front six spots. Winner of the fastest heat gets the pole position. Second place of the slowest heat gets sixth grid spot. Everyone else lines up according to the finishing spot in their heat race. And for added fan excitement the pole sitter gets to spin a big "wheel of fortune" to see if they invert 2 thru 6 positions at the start of if it is a straight-up start. And everyone gets a free set of tyres to run their heat race on. Not that F1 will ever do it. It's too simple and straight-forward and easy to understand. And with the possible inversion of the top six spots - impossible to sandbag."

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6. Posted by gturner38, 03/04/2016 17:22

"The WEC uses aggregate qualifying and it isn't all that complicated. I'm sure the graphics will add the times together in real time. It's probably unnecessary, but it will mean cars will be on track more than they were last year.

And no, this is not the system they abandoned in 2005. That was two sessions of single car qualifying with one on the morning of the race. This is last year's system with cars either doing two fast laps on one run or two single lap runs."

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7. Posted by alejandro.torres.1991, 03/04/2016 14:00

"Of all the qualifying systems used in the history of the sport, F1 had to go to the one abandoned after six races. Brilliant.

"

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8. Posted by Stitch431, 03/04/2016 13:44

"Bring back Max Mosley please!!!"

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9. Posted by vins0n, 03/04/2016 13:25

"Do it. I think whoever gets the fastest lap should also be elevated to second place (even if they won)."

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10. Posted by TokyoAussie, 03/04/2016 12:40

"Now I see the problem. My calendar is fast. It says April 3, when clearly it is April 1. What a fool I feel now."

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11. Posted by Frank H, 03/04/2016 12:39

"If this is the only thing they will vote on, I'll terminate my subscription for the channel I pay to watch Formula 1 on.

I'd rather watch paint dry... http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1559353/"

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12. Posted by gdg, 03/04/2016 12:35

"Perhaps they are (trying to find the worst). My understanding is that Bernie is working on making things hard for Mercedes and Ferrari in regards to negotiations in a bid to have them hand him back the power to run the sport."

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13. Posted by Jonno, 03/04/2016 12:32

"Those oddballs who prefer to ignore their televisions, but spend the whole race watching timing screens, will be wetting themselves at the very thought of such a bloody stupid idea being accepted. This smacks at Bernie, yet again, stirring the pot. So much for the show, there will be sod all to show.
Sky will be wondering what kind of turkey they've bought and who will be daft enough to pay a lot of money to watch it. Perhaps they might offer it back to the BBC on the cheap.

"

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14. Posted by -ape-, 03/04/2016 12:21

"My family is happy , i don't need to watch tv on a saterday anymore this summer. "

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Proposed format even more complicated

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