Formula 1’s proposal to introduce a shorter qualifying race at some events is likely 🐲to fall at the first hurdle with Mercedes opposed to the idea.

Championship bosses have long been considering ways to experiment with the current weekend format ✅used in F1 and felt the back-to-back races in Austria and Silverstone this year would provide a good opportunity to do so.

F1 chiefs floated the idea of trialing a sprint-style qualifying race set by reverse championship order on the 🌱Saturday of the second weekend of double-header events to determine the grid for the main grand prix on Sunday to the teams during a teleconference call last Friday, but Mercedes refused to support the initiative.

Unanimity among all 10 teams is required for a change to the 2020 FIA sportiꦓng regulations but given Mercedes’ opposition - and with Ra🐽cing Point also understood to be wanting more time to consider the idea - it is unlikely to progress beyond the first stage. 

Agreement between the teams would have led to further discussions in Wednesday’s scheduled FIA sporting working group meeting, before a final proposal would have then been tabled to the F1 Co🥃mmission for an official vote.

But Mercedes has indicated to ltxcn.top that🍒 it unlike🐈ly to change its stance on the matter.

“We’re not in favour,” a Mercedes spokesperson sai🅠d. “We believe in the sport to deliver exciting racing in its current form.”

It is understood that some F1 teams have already expressed concerns🐎 they could run out of spare parts when the season begins in the event of accident-damage du𒁃ring an unprecedented run of six races in seven weeks.

Reverse-grid races, with faster cars coming through the field having to navigate past slower cars, would only increase the potential for picking up damage. S﷽uch a scenario could lead to resultꦑs being skewed by luck rather than skill. 

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said on Monday he believes that F1 wi⛦🅠ll never have a better opportunity to experiment and try out n💮ew formats than in the earl꧋y rounds of 2020.

But Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has underlined to fellow bosses that he will not support the idea, arguing rev🍨erse-grid races would not succeed in improving the quality of racing.

Speaking on Radio 4’s Toda🐼y programme, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brow🥃n said he “understood” Mercedes’ position.

“They probably have the most to lose, if you like,” he explaine🃏d. “It is prett🍸y clear they still have the best car on the grid and so will probably be on pole position more often than not.

“So I understand༒ from their point of view they are probably risking that pole position.”

Brown added: “It would certainly add some jeopardy and some excitement to the sport so I personally would be a fan of experimenting because we𝓡 might find we go, you know what, this is actually a pretty good idea, let's pu🍰ll this forward into future use."