Ecclestone still trying to push his medal scheme
Discussion
He's still peddling the idea.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/86878
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/86878
Autosport said:
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."
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."
I was particularly bemused by this comment:
"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."
It looks like it could go to the wire anyway, but with that comment he's suggesting only 3 would be in with a shot (which is probably the case realistically) whereas now there are 5 possible contenders. How exactly is that better under his system?
Any also there is the question of the mid-runners such as Force India and Sauber, what exactly are they supposed to be aiming for, when a win or podium under normal circumstances is unlikely? Surely they would have to keep a points system as well as medals.
The whole thing is daft and probably won't happen, motorsport has always been based on points and it doesn't need to change.
"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."
It looks like it could go to the wire anyway, but with that comment he's suggesting only 3 would be in with a shot (which is probably the case realistically) whereas now there are 5 possible contenders. How exactly is that better under his system?
Any also there is the question of the mid-runners such as Force India and Sauber, what exactly are they supposed to be aiming for, when a win or podium under normal circumstances is unlikely? Surely they would have to keep a points system as well as medals.
The whole thing is daft and probably won't happen, motorsport has always been based on points and it doesn't need to change.
Edited by norman156 on Thursday 23 September 16:24
Isn't it obvious ??
One of his companies has 'acquired' a substantial quantity of 'assets' from a 'generous benefactor' associated with one of the new countries who have been awarded a grand prix, in the form gold coloured, oblong shaped blocks. So he's desperately trying to find a way to offload them to free up a bit of cash, and what better way than to casually mention to the FIA that he might be able to help out on a 'ask no questions, hear no lies' sort of basis, with some gold which they could make into medals....
You have to agree with some of what bernie says thought:
"I think whoever wins here, is going to be in a better position," said Ecclestone.
But I have another idea. it is like medals but slightly different. The driver could get bit presents, like glass oject d'art. the first could get a big one and the sedon a smaller one and the last the smallest. It just like god, sliver, bronze but colour-blind people won't be disadvantaged.
He's right in another matter as well. There is a big fight for supremacy coming up with the 2012 concord agreement. We seem to have Todt and Ferrari on one side and CVC and lots of money on the other. If the teams and the FIA do move away from CVC then the tag F1 might stay with Bernie. So he can give out medals to whomever he wishes.
If his side wins then medals it will be.
"I think whoever wins here, is going to be in a better position," said Ecclestone.
But I have another idea. it is like medals but slightly different. The driver could get bit presents, like glass oject d'art. the first could get a big one and the sedon a smaller one and the last the smallest. It just like god, sliver, bronze but colour-blind people won't be disadvantaged.
He's right in another matter as well. There is a big fight for supremacy coming up with the 2012 concord agreement. We seem to have Todt and Ferrari on one side and CVC and lots of money on the other. If the teams and the FIA do move away from CVC then the tag F1 might stay with Bernie. So he can give out medals to whomever he wishes.
If his side wins then medals it will be.
paulrockliffe said:
As much as the idea is s
t, last time this was discussed didn't we conclude that it would have made no difference to any of the past champions?
Maybe, but it would effect the result in crowning a champion to earlier in the season (eg. Button last year) before it was mathematically possible to not be caught under the normal points scheme. He would have been declared champion at Singapore rather than Brazil, therefore turning the final races into a damp run in of sorting out the runners up.t, last time this was discussed didn't we conclude that it would have made no difference to any of the past champions?
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