I do not like the newly announced F1 point system, but of course no one asked for my input. According the racer.com the new system was announced because of the expanding grid for the 2010 campaign.
A statement from today’s meeting of the World Council said: “Due to the expanded grid of 13 teams, and further to the recommendation of the F1 Commission, a new points system will be in place for the 2010 season.” The new system will award points in the following order: 25-20-15-10-8-6-5-3-2-1.
The change was proposed to take into account the increased field for 2010, when the addition of the new entrants will take the grid up to 26 cars – its highest figure since 1995.
So what happens when some of these teams fold? At some point the manufacturers may eventually return and out spend the weaker teams. This just seems like a bad idea to accommodate the next 3-6 years, not to mention the historical significance of a disparity in past points awarded compared to 2010 and beyond.
I can understand the need to make sure enough bottom feeders (or good teams having a desperate day) are scoring points, but if we are making changes, let’s take it a step further. I have long been an advocate for awarding points for winning the pole, posting the fastest lap, and leading at the midpoint of the race. Awarding points for achieving a pole is a fairly worthy cause. Handing out points for leading at the midpoint of a race would provide for some interesting strategies, and of course awarding a point or two for the fastest lap would give the back markers a reason to keep fighting until the bitter end.
Should be interesting to see how 2010 progresses. This is certainly not the F1 I fell in love with in 1995.
