‘Most wins’ system quietly dropped

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Update: as Leahonard_e points out, I got this one dead wrong. See here for more: ‘Most wins’ system confirmed for 2010

Conspicuous by its absence in the details of the new F1 rules for 2010 was any mention of a change in the points system.

In March the FIA announced that the championship winner this year would be the driver that won the most races. However that plan was abandoned after several F1 teams pointed out a href=”/2009/03/20/most-wins-rule-delayed-to-2010-after-f1-teams-spot-fia-rules-blunder/”>the rule could not be introduced so close to the start of the season.

The FIA declared that the ‘most wins’ system “will be deferred until 2010”. But the sporting regulations for 2010 published last week describes the same 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 points system used since 2003.

Some claimed the FIA never intended to use a ‘most wins’ system – that they announced it in March to deflect attention away from another controversial plan, namely the proposed introduction of budget caps. I find the conspiracy theory hard to believe because the FIA has never shied away from making unpopular decisions in the past, so why should it on this matter?

The question now is, has it been dropped for good, or will it be resurrected at a future FIA meeting?

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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17 comments on “‘Most wins’ system quietly dropped”

  1. :-)
    I had a feeling something was missing you found it for me Keith.

  2. The further ahead Jenson Button gets, the less likely they are to resurrect this idea…he’s on, er, two and a half wins to Vettel’s one.

  3. Thank God for that!

    And to raise a point regarding half points – what’s the point? – Was it a race? if so the winner should get full points

  4. Bigbadderboom
    4th May 2009, 1:10

    You sound suprised Keith!! Personally for me it was a diversionary tactic, FOM and the FIA use these tactics all the time, it sounds like you are being a cynic when you point it out, but the facts are both use under hand tactics to their own ends.

    The current political situations are all politcal movements in acheiving their own agenders, sad but true, they are as transparent as glass.

    It’s all about press for Bernie and Max and as they say any publicity is good publicity. As fans we are just becoming puppets for these puppet masters, just part of the game.

  5. Vettle will end up beating Button at the end of the year.

    1. lets hope so.

  6. leahonard_e
    4th May 2009, 1:37

    If I’m not wrong, the ‘medals’ system will be implemented in 2010:

    [from the 2010 FORMULA ONE SPORTING REGULATIONS]

    6.1 The Formula One World Championship driver’s title will be awarded to the driver who has been classified first in the greatest number of races, all official results from the Championship season being taken into account. Points will be awarded to all drivers in accordance with Article 6.4 below and, in the event that two or more drivers win an equal number of races, the driver with the greatest number of points will be awarded the driver’s title.

    1. Yes indeed. FIA didn’t paint it pink so as not to specify it as an amendment. Doesn’t it sound a strategic move in order not to pay attention?

    2. Well spotted leahonard.

    3. leahonard_e – thanks very much for putting me right on that. Have written a new post to clear things up: ‘Most wins’ system confirmed for 2010

  7. Who’s Vettle?

    1. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull driver.

  8. StrFerrari4Ever
    4th May 2009, 3:57

    Kovy Manatca was just being a smart ass :) he was just saying whose Vettle because Brian spelt it wrong and I hope he does beat Button and becomes the youngest ever world champion and next season I hope points system stays in place.

  9. The ONLY thing that the most wins takes the championship will foster are more protests and whining by teams that miss the boat on car design.

    If you think Flava-Flav whined about the diffuser this year, wait till next when his cars are performing on a lower level then this year.

  10. I would like to believe that the Medals/most wins system was a smoke screen to cover what else Mosley wanted to put through in his agenda to ruin F1.
    But who i right in quoting 2010 regulations, Keith or leahonard_e ?
    I hope we never get to see either proposal and stick to normal points.
    And i hope we see the back of Bernie and Max’s dog and pony act by end of the season.

    Formula one needs to start afresh with a clean slate.

    And on another note doesn’t Frank williams realise that Mosley wants all the teams to be capped and he is doing the 2 tier system to force the teams into i without legally doing it.

  11. Button is just proving how dangerous this “most wins” thing could have been. The championship could have been decided by mid season.

  12. Well I got that one wrong! The ‘most wins’ system will be used in 2010. For the avoidance of doubt in future I’m going to close comments on this thread, see here for more: ‘Most wins’ system confirmed for 2010

    Sorry for the confusion.

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