Ecclestone wants wins to decide title

Bernie Ecclestone says he wants to see the Formula 1 scoring format abolished and the championship title given to whoever wins the most races.

The Formula 1 supremo told the Daily Mail newspaper that the current points system did not offer sufficient incentives to push for victory, as there is only a two-point gap between winning and second place.

He believes abandoning drivers' points in favour of a winner takes all approach would make the races much more entertaining.

"I got a bit waylaid last season, what with all the business with McLaren and Ferrari, but it is my intention to push this idea through in the coming weeks," said Ecclestone.

"The key word in motor racing is 'racing', and right now there are not enough overtaking manoeuvres in the sport because drivers are happy not to take risks and claim second place because it is only two points less than winning the race.

"What I want to see is the winner of the most number of races as world champion, and second places only to be used if the top two finish the season with the same number of wins.

"The constructors would keep the existing system."

Although Ecclestone controls the commercial side of F1, the FIA is responsible for the regulations.

Bernie's proposed system would not have made a difference to any of the recent championship fights, although more would have been decided by final round showdowns.

The driver with the most wins has taken the title every year since 1989, when Ayrton Senna won six grands prix but lost the crown to four-time race winner Alain Prost.

Nigel Mansell would also have become a three-time champion under Ecclestone's proposal, adding the 1986 and 1987 championships to his 1992 title.