Ecclestone wants medals to decide title

Eurosport - Tue, 18 Nov 15:42:00 2008

Formula One race winners should receive gold medals next season with the World Championship going to whoever wins most, the sport's supremo Bernie Ecclestone has said.

FORMULA 1 - Bernie Ecclestone, F1 bigwig - 0

"Everybody is happy with the idea, they are all very supportive," the 78-year-old Briton told Reuters when asked whether the teams supported his suggestion.

"I'm absolutely 100 per cent sure it's the right way to go: it'll get them (the drivers) overtaking."

The idea has yet to be presented to the governing FIA world motor sport council however, with the next meeting scheduled for Monaco on December 12.

The Formula One Teams Association, representing all 10 teams, is also expected to discuss the plan at their next gathering.

Ecclestone wants to drop the existing points format to make races more exciting and ensure drivers go all out for victory rather than driving strategically to bank points and secure the title.

McLaren's 23-year-old driver Lewis Hamilton became the sport's youngest champion by a single point this season after finishing fifth in a nailbiting final race in Brazil this month.

However, Ferrari's Felipe Massa, who won his home race in Brazil, would have been champion under a medals system since he had six victories to the Briton's five.

Under Ecclestone's Olympic-style system, the top three drivers in every grand prix would get gold, silver and bronze medals instead of 10, eight and six points.

Those who finished fourth and below would not get points towards the drivers' championship but their placings would count for the overall rankings.

Points would still be awarded for the constructors' championship.

Reuters

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  1. I think the thought of how much money he will lose when Slavica divorces him has affected his brain. Restore the bigger points difference as before (minimum 3-4 points): that will reward overtaking. Add a point for most laps led (a la USA racing) if you like, but don't destroy the incentive for those drivers with no chance of winning.

    From markrose260@..., on Wed 17 Dec 8:36PM

  2. I think it should be going the other way, with points being awarded further down the grid, after all they may have no chance of winning but all the teams contribute to the race no matter where they finish, case in point Timo Glock. It would promote a more even spread of the TV money as well, instead of the most successful teams getting most of the money

    From Mike, on Thu 20 Nov 8:00AM

  3. Ace, it could have been worse, I could have been Dwaine Dibbley.

    From GEORGE, on Wed 19 Nov 10:47PM

  4. MikeQ: Laurels? How about giving the winners Merits and Demerits like when I was at school? When you get enough Merits you win a Mars Bar, and you get Demerits instead of any other penalties, and once you get enough you have a detention with Max Mosely.

    From ginger_gitt, on Wed 19 Nov 8:40PM

  5. Anyone seen Donald lately (cough !)

    From m.e.jenner@..., on Wed 19 Nov 6:57PM

  6. What about Laurel Wreaths for the winners too? they used to be very popular.

    From Mike, on Wed 19 Nov 6:51PM

  7. whats the difference to gold medals or points at the end of the season you will still have "champion" it makes no difference if drivers want to be the best then they will try and do it any way points or medals? sounds like bernie is trying to smoke screen some other issue and get people talking about something else while dirty deeds are done in public and pass unnoticed because everyone is talking about the merits of medals versus points

    what a load of crock and bull

    From piers, on Wed 19 Nov 6:49PM

  8. Bernie's had his snout wedged in the trough for so long that it has cut off the oxygen supply to his brain!

    From markrose260@..., on Wed 19 Nov 6:30PM

  9. Attaboy g.gcww, foxy name that. The cosmos has been quiet lately but you can be on the next certain death mission. Give Ace a break.
    Spoke me a flipper.

    From Asif e Giv-a-Shee, on Wed 19 Nov 6:25PM

  10. Ace, bring it on the kipper is smoked and ready.

    From GEORGE, on Wed 19 Nov 6:19PM

  11. g.gcww
    That's the ticket Ace will sort you on a "certain death" mission and will rustle up a shining new medal, if you get back.
    I will even Smoke You A Kipper.

    From Asif e Giv-a-Shee, on Wed 19 Nov 6:13PM

  12. Damn it, I want a medal all of my own now!!!

    From GEORGE, on Wed 19 Nov 5:59PM

  13. This is a terrible idea...sometimes I wonder if Bernie and Max want to help F1, or run it into the ground.

    From Dalston, on Wed 19 Nov 5:36PM

  14. PLease!!! Medals now???? This season has been incredibly exciting and i think that no fan(ferrari,mclaren or skoda)can argue against that.Hasnt Ecclestone ever heard that saying `dont fix what is not broken?`. Or words to that effect.

    From gerald, on Wed 19 Nov 5:25PM

  15. yeah good point where is donald duck

    From U R SOLES, on Wed 19 Nov 4:29PM

  16. The gold medal that is..

    From m.e.jenner@..., on Wed 19 Nov 4:24PM

  17. Just been checking through the posts - and Dogbiscuit gets it with Specsavers !

    From m.e.jenner@..., on Wed 19 Nov 4:23PM

  18. I think Max was wearing an Iron Cross 2nd class. !!!!

    From IVORBENTONE, on Wed 19 Nov 4:22PM

  19. You can be sure he will be pursuing the sh1theads.

    From Ardsay e Giv-a-Shee, on Wed 19 Nov 3:50PM

  20. Donald thinks that Hot Rats and Bill Mac are the same person Chris. But it could be that Donald and Bill mac are the same or Hot Rats and Donald or you and Bill Mac.
    I just don't know.

    From Julie4Fernando, on Wed 19 Nov 3:47PM
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