Bernie Ecclestone has suggested that next year's F1 World Championship should be settled by medals rather than points.
F1 supremo wants medals not points
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has suggested that next year's World Championship should be settled by a system of medals rather than points.
The sport's commercial rights controller believes that races will be more exciting if drivers are encouraged to go all out for victory and a gold medal, with the Championship settled according to who has the highest number.
"Everybody is happy with the idea, they are all very supportive," the 78-year-old said, when asked whether the teams supported his suggestion.
"I'm absolutely 100 percent sure it's the right way to go, it'll get them (the drivers) overtaking," he added.
Ecclestone's idea has yet to be presented to the FIA, however, with the next meeting of the governing body's World Motor Sport Council scheduled to take place in Monaco on December 12.
The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), representing all 10 teams, is also expected to discuss the plan at their next meeting.
If Ecclestone's idea had been in place during the 2008 season, Felipe Massa would have become World Champion rather than Lewis Hamilton.
McLaren Mercedes driver Hamilton took the title by a single point after finishing fifth in a nail-biting final race in Brazil just over a fortnight ago.
However, Ferrari driver Massa won his home race at Interlagos and scored six victories during the season to the Briton's five.
Under Ecclestone's Olympic-style system, the top three drivers in every grand prix would get gold, silver and bronze medals instead of 10, eight and six points.
Those who finished fourth and below would not get points towards the Drivers' Championship but their placings would count for the overall rankings.
Points would still be awarded for the Constructors' Championship.
