Quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel is once again leading the fierce criticism amid the latest instalment of the 2016 qualifying format debacle.

The Ferrari driver did not hide his anger when Formula 1 switched to the hated 'musical chairs' system without the backing of drivers and engineers, and now he has blasted news that the next move could be an all-new aggregate format.

"It's time to go to the circus," Vettel said when asked about the idea of aggregating the drivers' two best laptimes in the Q1, Q2 and Q3 sessions from China.

"It's a good idea if you want random things to happen, but formula one should be about racing. It's a shit idea," The Mirror quotes him as saying.

At a meeting with bosses in Bahrain, FIA president Jean Todt and Bernie Ecclestone reportedly told the teams that reverting to the popular and tested 2015 format is no longer an option.

Bosses will get together on Thursday to consider the FIA's latest proposal.