Formula 1MotorsportsNews

Your Opinion: Should F1 Race Winners Be Award Medals Instead Of Points?

K keshy
Posted onNov 19, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Updated onUpdated on Nov 20, 2008 at 7:12 AM

bernie_ecclestone

“Gold, Silver, Bronze to replace 10, 8, 6 system – No More Lucky Wins”

Here’s something for ya’ll to ponder about. F1 Chief Executive, Bernie Ecclestone revealed recently he wants the drivers on the podium to be presented gold, silver and bronze medals, rather than awarded ten, eight and six points respectively. Olympics style.

The change, he argues, will rid the sport of the situation of the 2008 series finale in Brazil, where Lewis Hamilton was able to finish just fifth and still be crowned world champion.

If Ecclestone’s new system had been in place, the McLaren driver and Felipe Massa would have been tied on five gold medals apiece, setting up a dash to be first to the chequered flag and the title.

It is believed that points will still be awarded to the teams for the constructors’ championship on the basis of the current system.

Drivers finishing races ‘out of the medals’, meanwhile, will not score points, but their finishing positions over the season will determine their championship ranking.

Ecclestone, 78, told The Times: “The FIA and all the teams are behind it and it will be done.”

He insists that the system will ensure that the emphasis of the front-running drivers’ approach to races will be on winning, rather than scoring good points.

“The whole point will be, when they get to Melbourne for the first race, the guys will want to leave there with a gold medal. They (will not) want to leave with ten, eight or six points,” Ecclestone said.

The matter has been discussed by FIA President Max Mosley, but the details are yet to be worked out.

Ecclestone’s system will require ratification by the World Motor Sport Council at its December meeting.

But it would ultimately also depend on what you, the fans think. So let Mr. Bernie know what you think of his new proposed system at the comments section below. Personally I think it’s a great idea. It’ll separate the men from the boys. But it would also throw luck out the door. Something a number of previous World Champions relied on.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

Post Views: 459
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    skazareth
  • Nov 19, 2008
"and the Gold Medal goes to......."
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    FuckRacist
  • Nov 19, 2008
You ppl are still jealous with Lewis Hamilton's win. He is proven to be a good and professional driver. Yet, from the quote "where Lewis Hamilton was able to finish just fifth and still be crowned world champion", we can know the author is biased and not professional. Noob asshole.
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    hause
  • Nov 20, 2008
Ooooo someone is sore that Hamilton won.
Even though I don't like Hamilton's arrogant attitude and disrespect, but this system has its ups and downs.
If people are awarded medals instead of points, I can see a lot of competition, but yet a lot of drivers and teams pulling out because there will be a psychological barrier that they can't challenge the big three of F1, since F1 is slowly become a sport of technical achievement, (not forgetting Vettel's & Alonso's surprising and brilliant wins).

But then again I can't help but wonder to the 'most consistent driver through a year wins' mantra they adopted ever since they introduced the new 8 position point scoring system. You have to admit it, Hamilton was the most consistent driver throughout the whole year (forgetting Singapore). It wasn't down to the last race luck, he deserved the win.
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    Crazy Biscut
  • Nov 20, 2008
Lets just see how goes....
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    doppelganger
  • Nov 20, 2008
i rather like the 8 points system better. That way you can juz math your way to the podium.
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    savahn
  • Nov 20, 2008
Awarding medals to drivers defeats the team spirit of the sport - medals are specific to an individual rather than a team. Drivers will take risks that could jeapordise the effort of the entire team by pushing and keeping their cars at a breaking point instead of running and preserving engine-wheels-transmission etc.

Its bad enough that teams dont get much recognition since the focus is on drivers but now to specifically reward drivers with an actual medal, that may hurt morale over a long term.
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    LANE
  • Nov 20, 2008
ferrari rules are forever .... damn
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    tis
  • Nov 20, 2008
"So let Mr. Bernie know what you think of his new proposed system at the comments section below."

hahahahha. what a joke.
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    minivan
  • Nov 20, 2008
Does it work out like the olympic medal standings.... ?? e.g. if a guy has a string of slivers, is he still beaten by a guy who one single gold medal?
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    RacingFans
  • Nov 20, 2008
that's the good idea to try on..instead of the point structure..who get the most gold medal get the title..this will look into the consistency of the driver of winning the race and the medal..
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    drM
  • Nov 20, 2008
well, totally agree with hause.

any system has its ups and downs. the fact that hamilton crowned champion even he finished 5th in brazil does has nothing to do with the system being 'flawed' or anything. its just hamilton scored enough points throughout the ENTIRE season.

if anything seem flawed, it must be that short white hair bernie.

he has to be thrown out of this sport for good. i know his company control F1, but thats does not mean he can voice out something stupid like the medals to replace the points. even if he gone sarcastic or anything, i believe this latest event of opinion by him totally absurd and nonsense.

remember that he suggested schumi's car to be handcapped last time so that other drivers can catch up? thats bloody stupid. last time teams threatened to pull out of the circus and create their own rounds of F1. thats show how un happy they are with this little man bernie.

endless list of world championship winners is based on this traditional point system and many of the defeated over the years have been accepting that these winners are consistently scored points over the season. i believe even the bloke schumi smashed in 1997 would have agree with me.

if i have got my way, heres my ideas:

1) american style rolling start. yes, some of the essence of F1 will be lost if the drivers to start this way, but by having this style of starting, we will have ALL the cars racing. no more starting mishaps. etc. etc

2) qualifying. instead of pitting them in three stages, each of the teams will be given 15 minutes per car to perform their best, with the track is emptied for the lap time to be taken. this way, they have to do their best and competing with themselves.

3) scrap city races. maybe monaco to be allowed on the basis of tradition and heritage value. city race tracks does not give enough excitement and room for overtaking. instead people onli winning the race by onli pit stop strategies.

4) turbo will return

5) salary cap for drivers to be introduced. bonuses by teams will determine how rich the drivers are.

6) points system will stay
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    vincent
  • Nov 20, 2008
Keshy u have to admit that u were a lil bias when writing this article. Oh come on, he really does deserve the win!

I'm sticking with the points system. Some of the suggestions from drM are really good.
K
I'm actually rather confused.. I wrote this post.. But it's a report dude.. Which part of "Bernie's Idea" sounds like "Keshy's Idea" ?? Plus check out the source.. It's a report man.. and by the way.. I'm a die hard Mclaren fan since I was 8.. it's not even Lewis for me.. It's Mclaren.. but then again.. can't blame u for thinking it's me who was being biased.. hope this gets it out of the way..
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    pitcher
  • Nov 21, 2008
So much talk..........FIA's not listening....
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