Ecclestone pushing for medals system
Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone plans to make a fresh push to introduce his gold medal system into the sport, after suggesting that the new points system introduced this year has not improved matters
Despite an ultra-tight championship battle between Red Bull Racing, Ferrari and McLaren, which has left five drivers in contention for the title with five races remaining, Ecclestone believes F1 would have been better off going for his 'winner-takes-all' concept.
Under Ecclestone's plans, the world championship would be awarded to the driver who scored the most victories in a season. If drivers were tied, it would then go on countback for second or third places.
If that system was in operation today, Mark Webber would be leading the title chase on four wins, ahead of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton on three wins and Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel on two.
Speaking at an announcement that German insurance company Allianz has extended its deal to be involved in F1, which will now include its logos being featured on the safety cars, Ecclestone said he was not impressed with the new points system used for the first time this year.
"If you look at the points system, it has made absolutely no difference," said Ecclestone. "If we had the old system it would be exactly the same position as now. Which is strange.
"Maybe they will wake up and think about my gold medal system now. Because Mark would have four gold medals now and two other guys with three, so the championship could go all the way to the wire."
When asked if he could see the medal system being accepted, he said: "Yes, for sure. They will see now what could happen, let's wait and see."
Speaking about this year's title battle, Ecclestone believes that the winner of this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix would take a big step forward in his title ambitions - although reckoned Red Bull Racing duo Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel were favourites.
"I think whoever wins here, is going to be in a better position," said Ecclestone.
"I honestly would not like to say who I think [will win]. Obviously Mark has got a good chance and I think Red Bull Racing are going to be very quick here, so I think you have got to say that certainly one of the Red Bull guys is the favourite at the moment."
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