Nov.26 (GMM) If Bernie Ecclestone’s ‘gold medals’ proposal for scoring in formula one was retrospectively applied, it would change the landscape of the sport’s history
In the 58 world championships since the category’s modern inception in 1950, the Olympic Games-style system would have crowned a different champion up to 12 times
The most recent example is this year, when runner-up Felipe Massa won six races compared with Lewis Hamilton’s five. Under Ecclestone’s proposed regime, the Brazilian would now be 2008 world champion
The big winners of the F1 chief executive’s plan, however, would have been Nigel Mansell (1992) and Jim Clark (1963 and 1965). In both cases, the drivers would each have won two extra titles
The biggest loser, on the other hand, would be Nelson Piquet, who according to the ‘medals’ system would not have won any of his three titles in the 80s
Alain Prost would have won five titles instead of four, and Keke Rosberg – because he only won a single ‘gold medal’ – would not have been crowned champion in 1982
Indeed, under Ecclestone’s plan, the Finn and father of Williams driver Nico Rosberg would have finished the drivers’ championship just sixth
