Toto Wolff says it is "hard to see" how the controversial live elimination format will be more entertaining in Bahrain.
Despite a farcical debut of the new system in Australia and the agreement among team bosses to scrap it immediately, the unpopular new format remains in place for Bahrain after the Strategy Group failed to unanimously agree to change it for this weekend. Wolff, who labelled the new rules "pretty rubbish" in Australia, does not think the derided format will be any better on its second attempt.
"This weekend we will see the new qualifying system continue after a less-than-impressive debut in Australia," he said. "The teams were unanimous in their opinion of it on Sunday in Melbourne and it wasn't a positive opinion. We haven't found the right format with this change and it's hard to see how it might be more entertaining for the fans this weekend in Bahrain."
Bernie Ecclestone has said the live elimination format will be reviewed after this weekend's race and Wolff thinks that needs to be a thorough process.
"The sport is under scrutiny on this matter, so careful thought is required in order to make coordinated, intelligent steps forward from the position we are in right now. The fans want close racing, in a format they can understand, between the best drivers and cars in the world - in that order. We should be capable of delivering that to the people in the grandstands and watching around the world."
A hybrid version which would have seen Q1 and Q2 continue under the new rules and Q3 run in the old format was put to a vote at the Strategy Group last week. However, McLaren and Red Bull voted against it because both opposed anything other than ditching the elimination format completely, meaning the group did not have the unanimous support needed during the season to change the rules.