27/11/2008
NEWS STORY
Despite Bernie Ecclestone's insistence that his plans for a medal-based drivers' World Championship next season "will happen" , the FIA might have other ideas.
The Times and the Daily Telegraph both claim this morning that the FIA is cool, to put it mildly, towards the idea, while well-placed a source has since confirmed this to Pitpass.
Ecclestone's proposal has been widely rubbished, and rightly so. However, the F1 supremo has a reputation for getting what he wants even if it takes a little longer than he anticipated.
The World Motor Sport Council meets next month, and no doubt 'medallion man's' proposal, which he claims has the support of the teams, will be on the agenda.
However, even if the FIA were to capitulate, the medals concept would not be introduced until 2010 at the earliest.
In the meantime, with Bern the Merciless' medals plan in mind, and the desire to bring in new commercial partners, FOM sources strongly deny that Brut - as in the great smell of - is being lined up as the sport's official fragrance.