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The Colonel November 19, 2008 11:48 AM

" there should be a ‘premium benefit,’ if you like, for those who actually end up winning the individual races.  And that should be significantly more than the current measly two point differential between finishing in first and second place. "

Yes, such as, for example, four points.

Hang on!  Did that not used to be the case???  Schumacher said it would happen.  He was scoffed at, but yes, the driver that won fewer races is the World Champion (not knocking Hamilton, just happens to be the case).  

I don't like this medals idea.  Presumably you'd still be allocating points, to cover the lower placed finishers and for the Constructor's Championship, so presumably the Driver's champion will be the driver with the greater clutch of Golds, rather than the driver with the most points.  I think it would lead to more confusion.  People that don't follow F1 so close wouldn't necessarily follow the association.

Why not just restore the four point margin?  If the desire is to still have the first eight placed taking points then just extend the number of points to 12 for first place.  

It doesn't have to be so complex, does it?

65 AMG November 20, 2008 12:01 AM

bernie is gradually getting senile now. This is plain stupid. it won't matter one bit if you win the gold medal and have it taken off you inexplicably by the stewards. Thats one of the problems the sport is facing. Massa got an extra win this season due the 'Spagate' incident and he nearly won the championship because of that. Obviously if Lewis knew he was going to lose 4 points like that, he'd have settled for second and collected 8 points instead of the 6 he ended up with because he tried to overtake. I mean, where's the incentive to actually overtake?

There are simpler things that can be done like getting permanent stewards who know the sport as everyone seems to be suggesting but thats not going to happen. why? saving costs? like hell. i just get so peed off. if they want to save costs, why do they keep changing the rules every season or two and then the tems have to re-engineer parts and equipments all over again. I don't understand why they have to make things so complicated. and they wonder people are losing interest.

Oh and am i the only person who thinks that the 2009 spec cars we've seen so far downright ugly. urghhhhh.

the limit November 28, 2008 5:09 AM

The problem concerning overtaking does not actually lie with the points system, but with the fundamental rules of the sport themselves. The fiasco at this years Belgium Grands Prix highlighted perfectly how a driver can fall foul of the rules by being over aggressive, as Lewis Hamilton was.

The start of the Japanese Grands Prix was also a huge talking point, as Hamilton was punished for being 'over aggressive' too into the first corner, forcing Raikkonen and several other drivers off into the great bye and bye.

The point being, isn't that the whole idea of the sport? To be aggressive, to be doing things others would be too scared to do.

Flashback a moment to the start of the Belgium Grands Prix of 2007, when Fernando Alonso chopped infront of Hamilton exiting La Source on lap one. Was that not, as equally dangerous as Fuji 2008 inwhich Hamilton was penalised? Ofcourse it was, but it was a great bit of defensive driving.

That is why millions of people worldwide watch eighteen races a season in sixteen different settings, unique to Formula One. For moments when you sit, bum on the edge of your seat, convinced you are about the see the mother of all accidents, and dumbfounded when they do not crash!

It is the RISK factor, and I don't care how many medals are handed out, I want to see more white knuckled action.

If drivers knew that they had a little more room in the rule book to take chances, then you would see more aggression.

The drivers know, only too well, that they risk a drive through or a stop/go penalty so naturally, they are refrained from taking risks. Medals will not matter one bit, just let the guys race and see who comes out on top.

Old But not yet Dead December 2, 2008 7:17 PM

Well said "the limit", a perfect analysis of what real racing fans want to see from F1.

If only the powers that be listened to those who want to see a return of excitement , anticipation and the feeling of awe at the pure skill many of the drivers.