The FOTA wants to change the points system

The team principals gathered in the FOTA have called for an immediate change to the points system for the 2009 World Championship.

As part of the proposals announced by FOTA at its press conference today in Geneva, the points awarded after a victory would increase from 10 to 12, with nine points for the second place and seven points for the third.

From fourth to eighth place, the system would remain the same with a scale of 5-4-3-2-1 points.

A few weeks ago, FOTA conducted a survey among fans. McLaren team principal, Martin Whitmarsh, stated that this change was necessary because fans around the world are asking for a bigger gap between the first and second in a race. The goal is to encourage drivers to go for the win.

« Spectators want greater recognition for the winners of races and our proposal aims to offer a greater reward for those who win races, » Whitmarsh said.

The proposal is an alternative to Bernie Ecclestone’s demands for a medal system only awarded to the top three.

The other immediate change in sporting regulations that the FOTA proposes is to disclose the fuel load carried by each car for a better understanding of the Grand Prix.

These recommendations must be approved by the FIA World Council before being adopted for 2009.

« These proposals will be submitted to the FIA and we ask them to support these reforms, » he continued.

The FOTA also suggested that in 2010 more data should be revealed to the public, that points in the constructors’ championship be awarded to teams that make the fastest pit stops. In addition, for each event, the length of the races would be reduced to 250 kilometers or a maximum duration of one hour and 40 minutes.

« While the public has no requests regarding the qualifications, the FOTA wishes to review the qualification format in order to enhance the spectacle, » concluded Whitmarsh.