Sebastian Vettel says Formula One's inability to decide on an entertaining qualifying format is proof something is wrong with the sport.
In the same week that Formula One bosses failed to agree to backtrack on unpopular changes to the qualifying rules, Vettel helped draft a letter from the Grand Prix Drivers Association that called for change in the way the sport is governed. Vettel said the back and forth over qualifying, is proof that the sport's governance is not working.
"I think it's right that you talk about certain things and it's normal some ideas are not as good as others," he said. "We had a lot of ideas that were quite bad and they didn't happen and we had other ideas that in the end were good and did happen.
"That is normal when you try to progress, but clearly if everybody is against something and you still decide for it -- qualifying is just one example now -- then something is not right.
"I think it's important not to pinpoint one person in particular, but I think it was clear for all the drivers what we think is wrong and we are happy to help in the future and hopefully kick off some progress on the point where we criticised."
Asked if he was surprised that the FIA, Bernie Ecclestone and the teams failed to agree on a simple fix to the qualifying format, Vettel said: "Put it this way, if you sell ice cream and you sell vanilla ice cream and everybody that comes to your shop is asking for chocolate ice cream and the next day you open everybody expects you to sell chocolate ice cream but instead you decide to keep selling vanilla ice cream ... usually you do what your clients would like you to do and you are not really doing your job if you do the exact opposite. It's something we can't be proud of."
Vettel made clear that the drivers do not have all the answers, but thinks they can offer useful suggestions on most issues.
"First of all it's clear that we drivers are not here to make the rules. In no sports does a sportsman make the rules, so that's clear and we don't want to be the ones who decide where the sport is going. In the end we are here to drive the car and that's what we love and we spend our time with. We are not asking on top of that to be in charge of the rules. We have people on board, there are people in charge and it's about those people doing their job.
"If there is currently certain regulations that prevent people from doing their job then we should rethink those and change the system in a way. That's why we felt it was time to stand up. The intention to send the letter out was there already before the race in Australia and we obviously talked about it again. The qualifying is probably the best example to show that something is not right."