Formula One’s championship will be decided by the number of race wins and not accumulated points.
Governing body FIA decided on Tuesday that the current points system will remain in effect only to determine the driver’s title in the case of a tie, with points also determining the order of the drivers who finish the season behind the overall champion.
FIA also approved further changes to cut costs in the face of the economic crisis, including a voluntary budget cap on teams.
PHOTO: AP
The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) expressed disappointment and concern that the decisions were made “in a unilateral manner.”
“The framework of the regulations ... runs the risk of turning on its head the very essence of Formula 1 and the principles that make it one of the most popular and appealing sports,” FOTA said in a statement.
Under the new scoring system, Ferrari’s Felipe Massa would have won last year’s championship ahead of Lewis Hamilton of McLaren. The Brazilian driver won six Grand Prix races to Hamilton’s five, but the British racer took the title by one point, 98-97, after finishing fifth in the season-ending Brazilian GP.
Overall, the title winner would have been different on 13 occasions if the new proposal had been in place since the first championship in 1950.
The 10 F1 teams had been looking to change the points to a 12-9-7 scoring system for first through third place, from its current 10-9-8 allocation. But FIA rejected that proposal.
F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone had initially suggested a medals system, with gold for the winner, silver for second and bronze for third.
The new formula does not affect the constructors’ championship, which will continue to be decided by the usual points system.
FIA’s World Motor Sports Council, at its meeting in Paris, also approved further cost-cutting measures.
FOTA, which represents the 10 F1 teams, said it would study the new rules. It did not say whether it would comply or not.
The association said the sport was facing “continuous upheaval that can be perplexing and confusing for car manufacturers, teams, the public and sponsors.”
Car weights will be published following Saturday’s qualifying session and would rename tire grades for better clarity to spectators. Drivers must also be available for further autograph sessions and better media availability.
F1 teams will also be limited to eight one-day aerodynamic tests during the course of the season instead of a total ban on in-season testing, and allowed three one-day “young driver” tests featuring pilots who have not raced more than two GPs in the preceding 24 months.
The council, meeting before the start of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 29, also rubber-stamped Brawn GP’s purchase of Honda.
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