Formula One news

Ecclestone aiming for medals in 2009

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is aiming to change the way the drivers' championship is decided as soon as the 2009 season, with the introduction of a medal system that would see the driver with the most race wins take the championship.

"It's going to happen," Ecclestone told a news conference. "All the teams are happy and the whole reason for it is that I'm fed up with people talking about there being no overtaking."

"The reason there's no overtaking is nothing to do with the circuits or cars," he added. "It's because the drivers don't need to overtake. If you're in the lead and I'm second, I'm not going to take the risk of falling off the track or doing something stupid to get two points. But if I need a gold medal to win the championship, I'll overtake. It's just not on that someone can win the championship without winning a race."

Under Ecclestone's proposals Lewis Hamilton would not have won this year's championship.

His proposals will have to be approved by the FIA if they are to come into force next season.

more news

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• 07 Jan.
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• 06 Jan.
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• 05 Jan.
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• 04 Jan.
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• 03 Jan.
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• 02 Jan.
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• 01 Jan.
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• 31 Dec. '08
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• 30 Dec. '08
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  • Ecclestone: Button should take a sabbatical
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• 29 Dec. '08
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• 28 Dec. '08
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• 27 Dec. '08
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• 26 Dec. '08
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• 25 Dec. '08
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• 24 Dec. '08
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