Jenson Button unsure of new points system


By Phil Huff
March 18 2009

The FIA announced a change in the scoring system for Formula One yesterday, with the Drivers' Championship to be handed to the racer with the most wins, regardless of the total number of points. Whilst this will encourage drivers at the front to race to the end of each Grand Prix, it could also lead to a driver winning the championship despite scoring less points than second place.

"It's a modification of my idea of medals," explained Bernie Ecclestone to BBC Radio 5 Live, "which I wanted to go down to bronze in third place, but this is a good start. The idea is to get people racing.

"Somebody that's second has got to try and win rather than thinking that if he happens to win he'll only get two [extra] points. That's not a big motivation to try and get past someone."

Ecclestone believes the changes could even benefit Brawn GP. "I suppose an awful lot will depend on these regulations, but if Brawn has got it right, then there is a chance that for the first three races we could maybe see Jenson winning," Ecclestone told autosport.com. "Now that it is not points that decides the championship, if he has three races in his pocket then it is not bad - although I suppose in the end you have to look at the old timers like Alonso, Kimi, Felipe and Mr Hamilton."

Jenson Button himself is not entirely convinced, telling Gazzetta dello Sport "I think the public will struggle to understand why a driver with 60 points can become champion instead of the one who has 100. I understand the logic behind it and I find it interesting. 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."

Whilst we want nothing more than a thrilling championship, we're hoping Brawn GP sign up an ice cream manufacturer as a sponsor before half season.

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