Medals

[Rob W]

It's easy to look at this year's results and say Massa would have won under a medal system but it conveniently factors out that drivers would have driven completely differently if the 2nd and 3rd places they were aiming for as safe, points finishes (especially when they were on the first race for an engine) would be completely worthless compared to a win.

If you'd put Hamilton or Massa in the 2nd position on-track and said to them "win or nothing" Hamilton would be the driver you'd pick every day of the weeks and twice on Sundays to get the job done over Massa.

Likewise, I think we'll see drivers going for broke in terms of engine maintenance - taking the risk of failures, but knowing a failure earns them a free chance for the next race anyway. Winning only 1/3 of the races this past season would have seen a driver crowned champion.

This is the issue I have with the medal system: It'll reward ballsy driving for sure, but I can guarantee it'll cause just as many tears for failed overtaking or on-track spats or 'repaying the favour' from the last time your team-mate tipped me on a corner.

There might be more reward for the winners under a medal system but there is an even greater opportunity then to hinder or affect your competition's result (or 'supporting' your engine supplier).

[guy_smiley]

It's easy to look at this year's results and say Massa would have won under a medal system but it conveniently factors out that drivers would have driven completely differently if the 2nd and 3rd places they were aiming for as safe, points finishes (especially when they were on the first race for an engine) were completely worthless compared to a win.

the guy asked a simple question: as it were (under the medal system), who would have won the championship. it would have been massa. nobody was getting into the details, like how the drivers drive when there's more at stake. that is completely different, and nobody will have an answer until the first year of the medal system is complete, whether that be in 2009 or 2010 or 2011....

This is the issue I have with the medal system: It'll reward ballsy driving for sure.

i agree, and i think that aggressiveness is something F1 needs.

but I can guarantee it'll cause just as many tears for failed overtaking or on-track spats or 'repaying the favour' from the last time your team-mate tipped me on a corner.... but there is an even greater opportunity then to hinder or affect your competition's result.

i disagree with this part. these dudes are the most professional of professionals. just because you failed to overtake someone doesnt mean you crashed your car and his car and 5 other cars. also, your suggestion of 'repaying the favour' is a bit ludicrous to me. drivers may make "payback" in nascar, but F1 drivers have much more class--they arent going to risk anyone's safety for a victory, much less 3rd or 7th or 11th place.

im just refuting rob here. i've my own views of the medal system (some of which are in my previous post).

and last (and again) there is already a thread for this

F1Technical- Points system to be scrapped for 2009

4 pages of medal-talk from a few days ago...

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[3KGT]

Medals? I honestly did not think this ridiculous idea would gain any support or come close to fruition. Ecclestone says this new system will be in place for '09. I don't understand his train of thought. Hasn't the current points system yieled two championships that have gone down to the last Grand Prix in two years? Haven't the last two championship battles been epic and exciting enough for him? What else does he want? Just solve the overtaking problem with the new areo rules, don't introduce a stupid gimmick thinking it will push drivers to overtake. No driver who has not already clinched the WDC would ever settle for second place points if he had a good enough chance to make it around the guy in the lead. And regarless of whether a driver is racing to win a silver medal or eight points he will not throw away a second place finish to make an over ambitious attempt to pass.

This medals system is a gimmick and it is down right corny. F1 is the most prestigious racing series on earth, why are they trying to dumb it down? The idea that there is no incentive to overtake is something I cannot understand. The purpose of racing is to overtake the guy ahead of you until there is none left to pass, no new points system will change that. Don't fix what isn't broken. Leave the points systm alone.

[Rob W]

Well at least common sense it showing through now. a few teams apparently have opposed the idea as well as the FIA not being totally on-board either.

http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954, ... 84,00.html

Hoping this idea gets scrapped...

[jamsbong]

I know it is repeating the old system but won't increasing the 1st place pts be sufficient? So example,
12pts 1st
8pts 2nd
6pts 3rd
while leaving every other pts the same. This will also make Massa a winner. This will also push the 2nd place man to take over 1st place due to the larger difference between 1st and 2nd.

The pts system is much milder than a medal systems and gives incentives to drivers who finishes but didn't always win.

On the other hand, if you look at the 2008 results and recount it using medal system, You'll have
1st Massa
2nd Hamilton
3rd Raikkonen
4th Alonso
5th Kubica
6th Kovalainen
7th Vettel
8th Heidfeld

Here you can see that Hamilton, Kubica and Heidfeld looses out. while Massa, Alonso, Kovalainen and Vettel gained a spot. Raikkonen remained the same.

I am neutral about the idea of medals as it does emphasize drivers achievements but also other drivers look really bad.

How about giving some incentives to 4th, 5th and 6th? like Aluminium, Wood and Plastic for their efforts? hehe...