Bernie still hoping for F1 medals

Bernie Ecclestone has been up to his old tricks again in the Singapore paddock today, after re-floating the idea of introducing a medals system to Formula One as a means to deciding the drivers' championship. The system was first proposed two years ago by Ecclestone and was even adopted into the 2009 regulations before being hastily withdrawn, but F1's Supremo still believes there is a need to make race wins, not points, decide the championship.

The points system was changed for this year to give a greater proportion of points for race wins and has given fans the enticing prospect of five drivers battling closely for the title with just five races remaining. However, Ecclestone wants the medals system introduced to make winning races even more important for the drivers, insisting the points system isn't working.

"If you look at the points system, it has made absolutely no difference," said Ecclestone. "If we had the old system it would be exactly the same position as now. Which is strange. Maybe they will wake up and think about my gold medal system now. Because Mark would have four gold medals now and two other guys with three, so the championship could go all the way to the wire."