The World Motor Sport Council on Tuesday rejected F1 teams’ unanimous proposal to tweak the formula one points system.
However, the governing FIA did adopt a variant of Bernie Ecclestone’s ‘medals’ idea, to be implemented immediately, where the winner of the most grands prix is crowned 2009 world champion.
Unlike on Olympic rostrums, there will be no actual medals awarded, with the existing 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 points system still applying to both the drivers’ and constructors’ tallies.
But, using the example of the 2008 season, if the winner of the most races (Felipe Massa) lags his closest rival (Lewis Hamilton) in points, the former would win the championship according to the new system.
And “if two or more drivers finish the season with the same number of wins, the title will be awarded to the driver with the most points,” the FIA said in a statement after a meeting in Paris.
Also on Tuesday, the FIA rubber-stamped a number of measures to enhance spectators’ enjoyment of the sport via the media.
For instance, the weights of cars will be published after qualifying, and mandatory driver autograph sessions and interviews will take place at races.
Also, Brawn GP’s name change was officially accepted
