Good news for F1

[John Z Goriup]

Jean Todt is beginning to leave his mark on F1 early in his tenure as President of FIA:
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Formula One unveils new points system for 2010
December 11, 2009 | 2:48 pm


Formula One drivers will compete for an increased number of championship points next season under changes announced today by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

Points will now be awarded to the top 10 finishers in a race, with 25 points going to the winner and 20 to the second-place finisher. The next eight finishers will receive 15, 10, eight, six, five, three, two and one, respectively.

Under the current system, in which Jenson Button of the Brawn GP team won the championship this season, only the top eight drivers in a race were awarded points -- 10, eight, six, five, four, three, two and one, respectively. Button has since announced plans to move to McLaren Mercedes next season.

The change was made to reflect expected additions to the number of Formula One teams in 2010, the council said.

--Jim Peltz
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That should add a little excitement to the 2010 season !

JZG

[Bullethead]

Seems like season end scores will look like NASCAR numbers with that formula, which is probably F1's intention. How many events are broadcast by FOX will be the telltale.

I understand part of the rational since the field will be larger. But I'd like to see a simpler scoring/points formula: 10-1 points for the first 10 cars, 1 point for fast lap, one point for pole.

With refueling eliminated (thank you!) it's going to be very interesting to see the strategies employed. A shame there's only one tire manufacturer to exploit the behaviour of heavy cars getting lighter throughout the race.

[John Z Goriup]

There was a time ( back in the 50s & early '60 ) when pole and fastest lap did carry a one point bonus for those who achieved those two goals. For the life of me I can't think of a good reason why these points are no longer awarded. It would satisfy one of the aims of F1, i.e., to reduce the role of the technically superior car and focus more on the driver's abilities. Eliminating re-fueling is a huge step in that direction, necessitating nursing your fuel supply for the duration of the race. With no re-fueling beginning in 2010 I can also understand the frantically increasing buzz about Schumi re-joining the circus next year as a driver with Mercedes-Brawn. He's German, wants nothing more than to get back in it, and don't forget, it was at Mercedes that he learned all about conserving tires, driving sympathetically & nursing a sick car, maximizing fuel usage and tactics.

All the blogs are full of talk about the new point system, but only one European source carried news of what I believe is of even greater impact and significance:

The WMSC also announced the appointment of two permanent stewards who will attend each race. They will be joined by a former Formula One driver and a representative from the host country. In the past two seasons, controversial decisions by the stewards effected the outcome of several races, prompting many in the sport to call for professional stewards. The drivers in particular lobbied to have one of their own involved in the deliberations.

Finally & hopfully, some consistency & repeatability will be introduced into resolving incidents, leveling fines, imposing penalties and interpreting the rules.

Maybe Todt is the breath of fresh air the FIA and F1 in particular has needed so desperately for all the years in the wilderness under that cretin Mosley.

2010 may well be one of the better seasons in many a year.