The surprising analysis of the FIA on the medal system
The FIA has released the results of a study that evaluated the possibility of introducing a medal system in Formula 1. This system, which obviously recalls that of the Olympic Games, was proposed by the F1’s grand money man, Bernie Ecclestone. The top three drivers in a race would win gold, silver, and bronze, respectively. […]
The FIA has released the results of a study that evaluated the possibility of introducing a medal system in Formula 1.
This system, which obviously recalls that of the Olympic Games, was proposed by the F1’s grand money man, Bernie Ecclestone. The top three drivers in a race would win gold, silver, and bronze, respectively. At the end of the season, the driver who won the most gold medals would be the champion.
According to Ecclestone, this system aims to increase drivers’ interest in winning races.
The FIA’s analysis showed that the medal system would have changed the final top 3 in 37 championships out of the 59 currently in the sport. The world champion would have been a different driver on 13 occasions.
This system would have also given a title to three drivers who were never world champions: Stirling Moss, Didier Pironi, and Felipe Massa.
As part of the medal system, the four-time world champion Alain Prost would have won five titles, one more for Ayrton Senna and Jim Clark as well. Nigel Mansell would have added two titles to his record.
The FIA also noted that the former Brabham team would not have won any driver titles under the conditions of this system.
Detailed results of the FIA analysis:
The list of world champion drivers would be amended as follows:
1958, Stirling Moss champion instead of Mike Hawthorn,
1964, Jim Clark champion instead of John Surtees,
1967, Jim Clark champion instead of Denny Hulme,
1977, Mario Andretti champion instead of Niki Lauda,
1979, Alan Jones champion instead of Jody Scheckter,
1981, Alain Prost champion instead of Nelson Piquet,
1982, Didier Pironi champion instead of Keke Rosberg,
1983, Alain Prost champion instead of Nelson Piquet,
1984, Alain Prost champion instead of Niki Lauda
1986, Nigel Mansell champion instead of Alain Prost,
1987, Nigel Mansell champion instead of Nelson Piquet.
1989, Ayrton Senna champion instead of Alain Prost,
2008, Felipe Massa champion instead of Lewis Hamilton.
Comparison between the two systems regarding the number of driver titles won:
| Drivers | Number of championships actually won | Number of championships won with medal system | |
| 1 | M. Schumacher | 7 | 7 |
| 2 | JM. Fangio | 5 | 5 |
| 3 | A. Prost | 4 | 5 |
| 4 | J. Clark | 2 | 4 |
| 5 | A. Senna | 3 | 4 |
| 6 | J. Brabham | 3 | 0 |
| 7 | J. Stewart | 3 | 3 |
| 8 | N. Mansell | 1 | 3 |
| 9 | N. Lauda | 3 | 1 |
| 10 | N. Piquet | 3 | 0 |
| 11 | Comments | Schumi, the undisputed king | Piquet and Brabham stripped of their 3 titles |
Main theoretical changes to note:
-Brabham n’aurait pas gagné de Championnat de monde des Constructeurs.
-Stirling Moss aurait été le premier Britannique champion du monde.
-Jim Clark aurait remporté quatre titres, plutôt que deux. Il en aurait remporté trois consécutivement en 1963, 1964 et 1965.
-Mario Andretti et Alan Jones auraient remporté deux titres au lieu d’un.
-Niki Lauda aurait perdu deux de ses trois championnats et aurait un seul titre à son nom.
-Nelson Piquet aurait perdu ses trois championnats du monde.
-Les quatre champions du monde entre 1981 et 1984 auraient été différents.
-Alain Prost aurait remporté cinq Championnats du monde, mais seraient différents de ses quatre qu’il a effectivement revendiqués. Ses titres ont été remportés en 1985, 1986, 1989 et 1993. Avec le système des médailles, cela se transforme en: 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985 et 1993. Il aurait donc glané trois titres consécutifs entre 1983 et 1985.
-Nigel Mansell aurait gagné trois Championnats du monde au lieu d’un, en ajoutant 1986 et 1987 à sa victoire finale en 1992.
-Ayrton Senna aurait remporté le titre 1989 et aurait donc eu quatre titres consécutifs entre 1988 et 1991.
