Silly Season's Not Just For Drivers


Just Weight and See

By Phil Giles
October 9 2002

Ferrari's dominance has definitely had an effect on the popularity of the sport worldwide with viewers dropping like flies. In what seems like desperation, the FIA are bandying about idea's like there won't be a championship next season.

The latest in a line of well, frankly silly ideas is that drivers swap teams.  Mad Max's proposals mean that Michael Schumacher could end up driving an EJ12 at some point next year. 

Max told the Telegraph newspaper:
"There is a large number of very radical proposals that have been circulated to the teams for discussion, some of these are very speculative ideas and we have to talk to the teams about them, but we mustn't sit there and not talk about these things.

"There is an argument for each driver driving each car once. This has an advantage because then we would see who are the best drivers and teams.  And if there are means to make it more interesting for the public then we have to talk about them.

"I think everyone who is really concerned about F1 will agree we are facing a difficult situation. The ballast idea is not my preferred option, but what might emerge at the end might bear little resemblance to what is being discussed."

Are the FIA clutching at straws?  What other options have they got?  How Bernie can think of penalising teams that are winning is not right.  The simple fact of the matter is that the best teams attract more sponsorship.  The more money that comes in, the more development the team can put into the car.  The more development, the better the car and then you pay 35 million quid to someone to drive it. 

If drivers are to swap teams, all the cars will have to be standard.  How can Jordan design a car for Takuma Sato if he ups and leaves for two or three races to go to Ferrari.  Just look at the problems that Sauber and Heinz Harald Frentzen have had. "I drive like my Granny!" he said. 

There are really only three teams in F1 these days and that says it all.  There is no chance for the midfielders to catch up and enjoy the limelight as the top three eat up the top six places.  This means that the others are just filling up the grid.  What's the point?

Well, what the sport in my humble opinion needs is a complete shake up of the points system.  With 22 cars usually on the grid, why are there only 6 points positions to share out.  This needs to change and there should be additional points awarded for qualifying positions.  This is as much a part of the sport as the race itself.  BMW have been the fastest car on the circuit this year, however with problems in the race, their hard work goes for nothing.

So how can the change be made?  Well, with 22 cars on the grid, there should be 15 points to share out for the top 15 finishers.  Bear in mind that not all of the cars finish the race.  Schumacher's dominance has been made even more so because of the four points difference between first and second.  If there were only a few points between the top drivers, the race for the championship would be closer than ever.  Real down to the wire stuff. 

Award points to the top six qualifiers.  Let Juan Pablo be rewarded for his hard work in qualifying.  Allow Giancarlo to get a point for 6th fastest.  

Clearly it's not down to me but surely the FIA can forget about weight penalties and swapping drivers.  Just re-jig the points system and your race looks much much closer.

We know that the team reads this website.  If it's a discussion topic for their meeting on October 28th then let's hope that EJ listens to his fans and can take some of our suggestions on board.

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