Teams win out over FIA and Commercial Rights Holder as qualifying reverts to 2015 format in time for China.

Despite a lack of official word on the matter sections of the media jumped the gun this afternoon, announcing that qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix (and beyond) would revert to the 2015 format.

And whilst there was no official word, even from the official F1 website, Red Bull and Ferrari took to social media to break the news.

"Unity is the only way to overcome difficulties", tweeted Ferrari, whilst above a picture of a jubilant, pumped up Daniil Kvyat, Red Bull proclaimed "When you hear about #F1 quali".

Shortly after, the FIA issued an official statement, confirming that after just two races its controversial new format has been dumped and an alternative shunned as all eleven teams showed an unheard of unity.

"At the unanimous request of the teams in a letter received today, Jean Todt, President of the FIA, and Bernie Ecclestone, commercial rights holder representative, accepted, in the interests of the Championship, to submit a proposal to the F1 Commission and World Motor Sport Council to revert to the qualifying format in force in 2015," read the FIA statement.

"This proposal, if approved by the F1 governing bodies, will take effect as from the Chinese Grand Prix and will apply for the rest of the season.

"Jean Todt and Bernie Ecclestone welcomed the idea put forward by the teams to have a global assessment of the format of the weekend for 2017."

Ecclestone and Todt will be incensed by what is an obvious climb down, a situation not helped by Ferrari and Red Bull's rocket starts off the grid to reveal the news on social media.

Both Todt and Ecclestone fear the engine manufacturers and teams have too much power, but previously, certainly in the Briton's case, 'divide and conquer' usually appeared to work. Not this time around.

The teams - whose principals are seen here preparing for a celebratory Hokey Kokey following their victory over F1's toxic twins - have shown that unity can succeed, leading to a rare victory, and leaving Todt and Ecclestone seething having been the driving forces behind this debacle in the first place.

On the other hand, one way or another there is sure to be retribution, one can only dare to imagine what dastardly form this might take.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by F One, 08/04/2016 19:41

"Stick that in your pipe and smoke it Bernie and Todt!"

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2. Posted by Jonno, 08/04/2016 10:35

"Excuse me whilst I choke. Did Ferrari really tweet ..."Unity is the only way to overcome difficulties"...
Coming from the infamous backstabbers has to be the F1 quote of the year. We all know that when Bernie pops round with a special offer, with a cash incentive, Ferrari will revert to their "up yours" attitude towards the other teams."

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3. Posted by petes, 08/04/2016 5:44

"@16boj......but perhaps they have. We just wouldn't hear from FOM if that were the case.
Perhaps, even, Bernie's watch cronies had a cry on his shoulder......"

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4. Posted by mickl, 08/04/2016 0:20

"I've just seen a pig fly past the window."

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5. Posted by TokyoAussie, 08/04/2016 0:03

"At last, common sense defeats stupidity. But that is as it should be. Meanwhile, on all the "real" issues affecting F1, not a single thing has changed. I feel only temporary relief, not excitement. "

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6. Posted by gturner38, 07/04/2016 22:39

"We'll have simplified qualifying bu going back to the old format, but don't expect to see much more running on track because they haven't fix the issue that made teams want to miss Q3. The teams will still choose to qualify just outside Q3 and save two sets of new tires rather than fight to be the slowest Q3 runner."

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7. Posted by Yeyox02, 07/04/2016 22:12

"Everything in life has a price and we will see wich was the price or currency exchange for this sudden change because Todt SPECIFICALLY said that FIA would not revert to the old qualifiying format. Perhaps cheaper engines was the price.
The FIA and Ecclestone do not have a gram or an ounce of credibility, they are a bunch of clowns."

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8. Posted by Rock Doc, 07/04/2016 20:57

"The teams may have won this battle and it is awesome that they did. But Bernie has been around the block more than once, and I'm sure he sees this as just a temporary setback. I expect him to cozy up to one or two of the smaller teams with gifts in an attempt to break this unity. Only time will show his real plans ... "

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9. Posted by 16boj, 07/04/2016 19:42

"Qualifying fiasco,,, What i can not understand is that the sponsors have not complained through lack of running time and exposure to the world "

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10. Posted by Ro, 07/04/2016 19:35

"Finally common sense has won! However I do fear for the teams as "retribution" will undoubtedly occur....or maybe JT and BE will step down knowing that any new rulings will be vetoed with their unanimity.
Now, how about getting rid of these awful Tilke tracks ?"

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Official: Qualifying reverts to 2015 format

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