Formula One news

'Past points systems irrelevant' - Brundle

Martin Brundle has given his opinions on Formula One's new scoring system, in which the driver who wins most races will be crowned Champion. Brundle, who drove in 158 Grands Prix between 1984 and 1996, talked of the decision which was taken by the sport's governing body, the FIA, in Paris on Tuesday.

"The last two championships have been very close, down to the final Grand Prix. I think, if the drivers all know the ground rules when they start the season it's fair enough, but it seems a bit late in the day," Brundle told the BBC.

"It could be confusing if one driver scores many more points than another but he's won less races, and therefore doesn't take the World Championship. For thirteen times in the history of Formula 1 there would have been a different champion had these regulations been in place, but to an extent that's irrelevant because I think drivers drive the whole year to win a championship, it's not over one or two events; Lewis Hamilton would have sat on the grid in Brazil with an all together different challenge and approach if he had had to win the Grand Prix to win the championship. Having said that, maybe we'll have some more exciting races where drivers can't afford to settle for second or third, and have to go for victory."

Brundle (left) talks on the grid to Bernie Ecclestone, Germany 2008

Last year's championship is one of the thirteen which would have resulted in a different outcome, although Brundle stressed that, as long as the rules have changed before the start of the season, it just represents a different challenge. "I don't think we're too fussed about it," he continued. "Nigel Mansell would have won three titles, for example, with this new set of regulations, but ended up with one. As I say, it's irrelevant really because you don't know how they approach the championship."

The system was originally suggested by Bernie Ecclestone of Formula One Management (FOM), the commercial rights holder of the sport, before being examined in detail and finally confirmed by the FIA, with a new points system of 12-9-7 for the top three positions - suggested by the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) - denied.

"Drivers go motor racing to do the best they can," Brundle added. "I don't think they get too involved in the politics. Bernie wanted a medals system, and he wanted the winner to be the driver who won most Grands Prix - he didn't enjoy Lewis cruising around for fifth place in Brazil. Bernie's pushed hard for this but he's got half-way really - the medals system is not going to happen but the winner of most Grands Prix will become the World Champion."

One worry around the paddock at Jerez testing this week is safety concerns, in that the new regulations could result in drivers thinking on more of a short-term basis during races. "I think there may be some 'Desperate Dan' stuff towards the end of the Grands Prix, where second place is just not good enough, especially if you're a championship contender," warned Brundle. "The bulk of the drivers though are out there to try and sometimes win races but hopefully a podium or two and some points, depending on the car that they're driving. They're not all up for the World Championship, so I don't think it'll affect them too much."

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