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F1 pilots protest against new rules
Published: 21 March, 2009, 13:21
Lewis Hamilton (AFP Photo / Cristina Quicler)
TAGS: Sport, Formula 1, Sports
F1 top drivers and their teams are speaking out against the proposed new rules of awarding the champions title to a pilot with most wins instead of most points.
The sport's governing body, FIA, said they may consider putting the new scheme on hold and implementing the rules in 2010 instead of this year.
Reigning F1 champion, Lewis Hamilton, is among those slating the new scoring system.
“It's a shame what's happening to Formula 1. It's hard to believe these recent decisions will improve things for the track-side spectators and TV viewers, who should always be our priority,” Hamilton said in a statement from his McLaren team.
Thankfully for him the new rules didn’t come into power last season as he wouldn't have been crowned champ then. Hamilton beat Felipe Massa only on points, but won just five races against the Brazilian’s six.
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Scoring only the number of wins is absolutely silly. The best driver could be eliminated by a problem in the pits, a minor scrape with another car that damages his aerodynamics or a simple mechanical problem. If Michael Schumacher was still driving or if someone like him was to come along, which I doubt, the championship could be decided just past the mid point of the season. Haven't we all seen a top driver start near the rear of the grid and charge through the field to obtain a few points to keep him in the hunt. Why not just drive the pretty cars around for an hour & a 1/2, let everybody take their pictures and go home?