While praised by the F1 supreme, the new system will cause a lot of chaos in 2009, believes Button. In an interview for Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, the British driver argued that we might find ourselves in a situation where a driver will be secured enough wins to win the series a few races from the season finale.
“I think the public will struggle to understand why a driver with 60 points can become champion instead of the one who has 100. For sure it's an incentive to always go for the win, but it seems risky too - after nine races, we could find ourselves with a driver that has already won the title and can stand still eating ice cream, while the guy in second in the standings is just 18 points behind,” argued Button.
Ecclestone, on the other hand, argued that the new system will become a true catalyst for more exciting battles for 1st place. Being that the number of wins will count the most in the title equation, the F1 big guns will not settle for some “secure” 8 points for the runner-up spot but go for the win.
The discussion on changing the way Formula 1 sets its world champion was triggered by the fact that McLaren's Lewis Hamilton won last year's crown despite winning less races than runner-up Felipe Massa. The Ferrari driver eventually finished the season in 2nd place, only one point behind Hamilton.
In an official analysis conducted by the FIA in late January – to see how a potential medal system would have changed F1 history in terms of title holders – it emerged that the championship classification would have been altered 13 times, including three drivers that haven't won the series – Stirling Moss, Didier Pironi and Felipe Massa – walking away with the title.
Google News