Ecclestone: Points system needs change

The Formula One supremo has been pushing for the introduction of an Olympics-style medal system into the sport, so the driver with the most medals takes the title.

On Thursday Ecclestone said it did not matter if F1 used medals or not, but the Briton insisted the system should benefit the race winners more.

"Forget the word 'medals', I think the guy that wins the most races should win the championship," Ecclestone told reporters at Ferrari's ski retreat.

"I don't think the guy who is second with a lot of points should be a world champion, that is all. I hope, upon hope, that the idea of the winner being champion will mean the drivers will race to win.

"This year a lot of them sat there being second and they didn't try to win because it was only worth two points. It is not worth the risk."

He added: "It is up to the teams to push it through. They have all entered the championship and it is a change of regulations, so we would need them to agree. I hope they have enough sense to agree."

Lewis Hamilton won the title last year having won four races, while his main rival Felipe Massa finished second despite scoring five victories.