New system could give Button title shot
Formula 1's new points structure could help Jenson Button emerge as a serious threat for the world championship this year, reckons the sport's commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone
With the FIA having announced that the world title will now be handed to the driver with the most wins, Ecclestone believes expected early season success for Brawn GP could put Button in contention to take the fight to the more favoured candidates.
When asked by autosport.com during a press conference hosted by Australian Grand Prix organisers about his predictions for the championship, Ecclestone said: "I suppose an awful lot will depend on these [new] regulations, but if Brawn has got it right, then there is a chance that for the first three races we could maybe see Jenson winning.
"Now that it is not points that decides the championship, if he has three races in his pocket then it is not bad - although I suppose in the end you have to look at the old timers like [Fernando] Alonso, Kimi [Raikkonen], Felipe [Massa] and Mr [Lewis] Hamilton."
Ecclestone believes that good results for Brawn GP early on, however, will not rest easy with rival teams - as he fears a potential protest about the legality of the diffuser on the BGP 001 being lodged at the season opener in Australia.
Brawn GP has joined Williams and Toyota in interpreting the diffuser regulations differently from other teams - which has allowed it to use a 'double decker' design.
Some rival teams have already questioned whether those diffuser designs are within the regulations, and autosport.com understands that one team has already sought clarification from the FIA regarding the matter. Ecclestone believes that the diffuser controversy will likely only reach a head in Melbourne.
"I guarantee whoever wins the races in Melbourne will be told they are cheating, and it doesn't matter who it is," he explained. "In this case it seems two teams, maybe three, certainly Toyota and Brawn, have interpreted the regulations in a different way to the other teams.
"The FIA at the moment says that interpretation is correct, but possibly some other teams will put in a protest before Melbourne. It won't affect racing but will be looked at after."
Share Or Save This Story
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Jon Noble: An unfair perception or a genuine concern? Lifting the lid on Red Bull’s Tsunoda scepticism
Cars and stars from the 2026 Goodwood Members’ Meeting
Button takes Goodwood Members’ Meeting win in E-type Jaguar
“No regrets at all” – Why Button is happy with his decision to retire from racing
What we learned from the 2026 F1 British GP sprint race and qualifying
Wolff: "Emotional" Vasseur misunderstood comments on Ferrari
F1 British GP: Antonelli takes pole position, Russell down in fourth
LIVE: F1 British GP commentary and updates – Antonelli claims pole position
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments