Jean Alesi: 'Qualification U-turn shows Formula 1 needs dictatorship'

Jean Alesi sits in a car after qualifying for the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 20, 2015
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Jean Alesi says that the latest events in F1 show that the sport needs a "dictatorship".

Jean Alesi has suggested the latest events in Formula 1 show that the sport needs a "dictatorship".

The former Ferrari driver spoke to the French broadcaster Canal + about F1's U-turn over the new 'musical chairs' qualifying format, which will be scrapped after just a single race in Australia.

"Personally, I liked qualifying [in Melbourne]", the 51-year-old said.

"Perhaps it is necessary to change the third part (Q3) of the session, but to fully restore the old format, in my opinion, is ridiculous."

He said that the team bosses voting unanimously last Sunday to scrap 'musical chairs' and revert to the 2015 qualifying format is proof of who should really be running F1.

"I'm a big fan of Bernie Ecclestone, but I like Jean Todt even more," said Alesi.

"They are trying to find ways to ensure that the interest in the sport is high, but they also need to take into account the positions of the team bosses. It seems to me that [the team bosses] are harmful to Formula 1.

"Unfortunately, in this sport you need a dictatorship. It is something that worked in the past but not anymore. Why? Because everyone has the right to express their opinion now and yet all they really care about is their own interests."

The season continues with the Bahrain Grand Prix on April 3.

General view of start of the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos racetrack in Sao Paulo Brazil on November 9 2014
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