Yet again, the world's most technically advanced sport has shown itself to be woefully lagging when it comes to decision making and self-interest.

Although the teams, under the guidance of circus-master Bernie Ecclestone, couldn't agree quick enough to scrap the new format following its shambolic introduction in Melbourne, a 180-turnaround has seen the format retained for a second attempt.

"The outcome I think is that we are going to stay as we are," Ecclestone told Reuters following a vote by the equally controversial Strategy Group this afternoon. "After Bahrain, we're going to have a look at it."

Although he was initially against it, Ecclestone, who watched the Melbourne session from his London HQ, has seemingly had a change of heart, just days after Pirelli and Force India claimed the new format had not been given a fair chance.

However, it's understood at today's Strategy Group meeting Ecclestone and (FIA president) Jean Todt were against making the change and whilst a suggestion to put forward a recommendation that Q3 revert to the old format, this was not unanimously agreed in time to put before the F1 Commission for the 17:00 (CET) deadline... ironic when you consider that this is a sport that is run to within thousandths of a second.

Many believe that the dilly-dallying, along with yesterday's letter from the GPDA and Ecclestone's response, are all part of a wider game. Indeed, Ecclestone's comment to Reuters that: "We could easily enough change it (qualifying)" but that the voting process "is loaded too much in favour of the wrong people... Mercedes and Ferrari can buy votes", much like the ongoing engine cost saga, is all part of it.

Whatever, the agenda, the sport, its fans and its sponsors are stuck with this dreadful format for a second race weekend.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by edllorca, 30/03/2016 21:06

"What a great picture. The man that ruins F1 every time he opens his mouth with the man who ruins F1 every time he keeps his shut. Perfect picture for a dartboard....
"

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2. Posted by NVexplorer, 29/03/2016 19:51

"The newest of the dwarfs, Squinty and Oinky. Snow White really has problems now."

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3. Posted by stangelj, 29/03/2016 19:42

"The definition of insanity it to try the same thing over and over and expect a different result. With all the technology F1 employs could they not run simulations to see if there is any chance of an exciting qualifying using this new format? Why experiment at a real race and spoil the show? Insane!"

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4. Posted by Ro, 26/03/2016 14:40

"Hopefully my following comments will be agreed by all....where else in motorsport have such a change in Qualifying been done....nowhere.

WHAT A LOAD OF BOLLOCKS ! "

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5. Posted by DJ, 25/03/2016 17:42

"Tough to make an intelligent comment on such an incredibly stupid decision!!!"

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6. Posted by Jonno, 25/03/2016 16:40

"The Dopey Duo, Ecclestone & Todt, didn't receive enough laughs first time around, so they're returning for an encore. Just imagine what a mess F1 would be in without the Strategy Group to keep them in check.
"

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7. Posted by imejl99, 25/03/2016 14:30

"Here I go again with the math: average race is 1h30min, with all preshow and after, let`s say 2 hours. Qualifying 1 hour.

As we all have learned from previous experience, no team can exist without sponsors.
Grab a popcorn, take a seat and watch how on earth they gonna explain to the sponsors that they lost at least 30% of TV exposure due to new format?"

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8. Posted by Darvi, 25/03/2016 14:23

"Stupid, stupid, stupid."

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9. Posted by TokyoAussie, 25/03/2016 3:27

"I thought that sanity had prevailed after the teams voted unanimously to revert to the old format. But in modern F1, we now know definitively that sanity does not prevail. It doesn't even play a bit part."

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10. Posted by jackdino1, 25/03/2016 1:08

"Little man syndrome, the dwarves are out for revenge!!!!! Ecclestone & Todt, waht a quinella of selfterest and banal mindsets. Not going to bother watching this Bernie you idiot. Mifght even cabcel my Foxtel as its not woth paying to watch this rolling farce. Get rid of the poms before F1 is totally crippled"

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11. Posted by mickl, 25/03/2016 1:00

"What was it all the team principals were saying on Sunday morning...."we'll listen to the fans". What they meant to say was "something..something..my hairy butthole...something" (even Claire Williams)"

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12. Posted by mickl, 25/03/2016 0:47

"Just to comment on the photo of the dwarf and the French dwarf used at the top of the article...surely it should be the shot of them two with their tongues down each other's throats and giving each other a reach around."

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13. Posted by mickl, 25/03/2016 0:46

"Bernie tells all fans to go forth and multiply....and then pay subs to watch........

At least this'll play into the hands of the channels that only shows highlights, you can miss the last gasps of breath as the sport dies and Bernie is sitting there counting his gold and waving a (Putin donated) Kalashnikov, firing at the twitching governing body like a retarded Leprechaun at the end of a rainbow."

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14. Posted by mike, 25/03/2016 0:43

"I'm done with F1... For the first time in decades I will not watch this weekend!!!!1"

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15. Posted by TokyoAussie, 24/03/2016 22:00

"Lost for words…"

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No change to Bahrain qualifying format

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