Formula One teams question new rules

The Formula One Teams' Association FOTA on Friday questioned the new system whereby the driver with the most race wins will be crowned 2009 Formula One world champion.

The sport's governing body, the FIA, introduced the new ruling on Tuesday with the aim of encouraging overtaking and improving the spectacle of the championship, which gets underway in Australia on March 29.

But the World Motor Sport Council's WMSC decision has been met with a chorus of disapproval from teams and drivers.

FOTA wanted to revamp the current points system, with the top three drivers earning 12, nine and seven, rather than 10, eight and six points. The group believes the WMSC has failed to act in accordance with its own regulations.

A FOTA statement read: "Following the decision of the WMSC of March 17, 2009 to change the way the drivers' championship is awarded, the teams gathered and unanimously agreed to question the validity of this decision.

"FOTA had made a proposal that was carefully based on the results of a global audience survey, which allowed listening to preferences of the public, and all the teams firmly believe these indications should be properly taken into account.

"...It is too late for the FIA to impose a change for the 2009 season that has not obtained the unanimous agreement of all the competitors properly entered into the 2009 Formula One Championship.

"Since the change to the scoring system unanimously agreed by the teams and proposed to the FIA did not receive approval of the WMSC, no change can occur in 2009."

World champion Lewis Hamilton admitted that he was not a fan of the new rule.

"I don't like it really," the 24-year-old McLaren driver said. "We want to be consistent, whether we come first or third. It should happen that a team and their drivers are rewarded for their performance over the whole year, not who won the most races."

If the rules had been in operation in 2008, Hamilton would have finished runner-up to Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

Meanwhile, seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher also said he doubted the decision will lead to better racing.

"I cannot imagine that these rules, including the new valuation system, helps the sport," said Schumacher.

"I can't see the sense in eventually having a world champion who has less points than the driver coming in second, even if I also think it's a good move to try to strengthen the winner's position."







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