Zoom Schumacher dominance forced current points system

Former F1 driver Jos Verstappen has added a lone voice of support to the concept of an Olympic Games-style 'medals' scoring system, albeit in a differing form.

F1 Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone is pushing for the scheme to be introduced for next year, with the aim of compelling drivers to prioritise race wins rather than mere points.

"There are a lot of people who have ridiculed this suggestion, and honestly I have to admit at first that I thought the stress of divorce had got to him," Verstappen, 36, wrote in his column in the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

"But I think he actually has a point. Like him, I think the winner of the most races in a season should automatically be the world champion. "

But Verstappen, who raced the last of his 107 Grand Prix for Minardi in 2003, believes Ecclestone's concept could be achieved simply by reverting to awarding the winner with a bigger margin over second place.

Prior to 2003, second place-getters scored only six points, compared to the current eight.

Verstappen said: "It would be much more of an incentive for the driver in second place to do everything he can to catch up the front runner. At the moment, too often you see that drivers are happy to settle for their position, because the risk of trying to improve is too high."

E.A, Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International