16/03/2008
NEWS STORY
While Patrick Head (and others) believe that reversing grids would spice up F1 - can you really believe that its got to the situation where senior insiders are saying F1 needs spicing up? - Bernie Ecclestone believes that under the current rules drivers are not encouraged to race, and is therefore calling for a change.
"The key word in motor racing is 'racing','" said Ecclestone in an interview with the Mail on Sunday. "And right now there are not enough overtaking manoeuvres in the sport because drivers are happy not to take risks and claim second place because it is only two points less than winning the race.
"What I want to see is the winner of the most number of races as World Champion, and second places only to be used if the top two finish the season with the same number of wins. The constructors would keep the existing system."
Ecclestone conveniently forgets, as ever, that it was he and his good friend Max Mosley who changed the points system a couple of years back, part of their 'grand plan' to prevent Michael Schumacher running away with another World Championship.
The revised points system, coupled with the rules regarding diffusers and general aerodynamics, have gone a long way to causing drivers to think twice before making an overtaking manoeuvre, be it for tenth place or the lead. With just two points difference between a win and second, drivers, and their bosses, are often loath to take the extra risk.
Ecclestone believes his idea would change all that, hinting that he won't take no for an answer... not that he ever did.
"I got a bit waylaid last season, what with all the business with McLaren and Ferrari, but it is my intention to push this idea through in the coming weeks."
Coming next, 'Ecclestone demands winners of night races get double points'.