Sebastian Vettel says the aggregate qualifying proposal that could be adopted on Thursday is a "s--- idea".
Despite warnings from teams and drivers, Formula One pushed ahead with a new live elimination qualifying format this season. The new system flopped on its first running at the Australian Grand Prix, but the reluctance of the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone to revert to last year's format saw it run again in Bahrain with similar results.
Ecclestone, the FIA and the teams met again on Sunday in Bahrain to try to agree on a change, but instead differed a decision to another meeting this Thursday. In the meantime the teams have been tasked with analysing a new format whereby a driver must set two times in each of the three qualifying sessions and an aggregate of the two laps decides the order.
Asked about his thoughts on the new format, Vettel told Sky Sports: "It's time to go to the circus. It's a good idea if you want random things to happen, but Formula One should be about racing. It's a s--- idea."
However, his Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene said the new aggregate system is worth exploring.
"We had this long meeting [on Sunday] but a door is opening now and we need to work on the proposal of the FIA. Everybody understands that this format is not ideal and next week we agreed that we need to talk and have to work on the proposal they have given to us. It doesn't sound that bad."
Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo is concerned it will take some of the spectacle away from qualifying as drivers will not be able to push flat out in fear of an error.
"Qualifying is about that one perfect lap," he said. "To have an aggregate, it starts to sound more like some form of endurance racing. I wouldn't be too keen on that."
Formula One last had an aggregate system for the first six races of 2005 before it was ditched due to complaints from TV broadcasters and fans. Back then there were two one-lap sessions, with drivers setting a time on low fuel on Saturday afternoon and race fuel on Sunday morning. Following the Monaco Grand Prix it was changed to a single Saturday afternoon session with race fuel and tyres.