Ecclestone: Medals Would Have Boosted Vettel

Bernie Ecclestone still has his mind set on the medal system for the Formula One championship, which the representatives of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) dismissed at the beginning of the year. According to the 78-year old Brit, the title fight this season would have been far more spectacular if the medal system were in place.

Although Mark Webber is currently 2nd overall to Jenson Button in the drivers' classification, Ecclestone still believes Sebastian Vettel is the driver who can challenge his countryman for the F1 title this year. And, since Vettel is now 23 points behind Button with only 7 rounds to go, Ecclestone believes the German has little or no chance to clinch the F1 crown.

Had the championship been ran under the medal system instead of the 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 points system, Vettel would have had to recuperate only 4 wins in the last 7 rounds, instead of 23 points in the classification. Under the current format, Button would only need to finish runner-up in most of the races to the end in order to secure the top spot in the standings.

“If the medals system that I proposed would be in (effect) now, he (Vettel) would still be in the title fight. I think Vettel is capable of five more victories, but with these stupid points (system) it's not going to be enough,” Ecclestone was quoted as saying to Germany's Auto Bild.

Button has lost no less than 15 points to Mark Webber and 9 to Sebastian Vettel in the last 3 races, as he hasn't scored or even challenged for a podium finish in the season since the Turkish Grand Prix.