FIA Flip-Flops on Championship Points Ruling

By Marc • March 20, 2009

Formula One’s ruling body backed down Friday and agreed to put off a new points system for the sport until next season after the teams objected.

“If, for any reason, the Formula One teams do not now agree with the new system, its implementation will be deferred until 2010,” FIA said in a statement just hours after the teams announced their objection.

Well I guess we now know who’s wearing the pants in the “F1 Family” - at least on this issue.

A cacophony of F1 luminaries, including current world champion Lewis Hamilton, two-time champion Fernando Alonzo, Jenson Button, Mark Webber, seven-time champion Michael Schumacher and FOTA and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, all publicly expressed their discord over the change and for once the FIA listened.

“I really think it’s absurd, severe and dangerous that one week before the first grand prix, Formula 1 is in such a situation, which is very bad for its credibility, its security, the teams, the car manufacturers, the fans, the journalists and the sponsors who invest,” di Montezemolo was quoted as saying on Ferrari’s official website.

Thanks Luca, that about sums it up.

I hate to be cynical, but with the FIA’s history you have to wonder if this capitulation is a Trojan Horse and diversion to mask some other BS the FIA has in the works.

Categories: Commentary, Formula One
Tags: FIA

Commenting Note

If it's your first time commenting at FT your comment will be sent to moderation for approval as a spam prevention measure. Subsequent comments will show automatically. I also refer you to my comment policy if you have any questions. If you prefer to offer advice or a private admonition (or story tip) shoot me an email via the Contact Page.

NOTE: Inflammatory remarks and inane drivel will be deleted. It's not about free speech, remember you are in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.

3 Responses to “ FIA Flip-Flops on Championship Points Ruling ”

george Mar 21st, 2009 at 11:46 am

If Max doesn’t know his own rules and regs it’s high time for him to step down. Let’s hope come October this can be held over his head to force him to not seek reelection.

But then again, a guy caught on film with his pants literally down and wouldn’t resign can’t be too embarrassed by this, can he?
Marc Mar 21st, 2009 at 1:03 pm

Naturally Max had to get in the “last word.”

After getting spanked (metaphorically not actually this time) by FOTA on the points issue he lays a smoke screen on the budget cap issue.

“It was a weak response,” Mosley told the Daily Telegraph. “They knew we were considering a budget cap, but I don’t think they expected us just to do it like that.

“The complaint was that we didn’t consult them. Well, we’ve been talking a lot to Force India and Williams, both of whom were very supportive. I’ve not spoken recently to [Red Bull owner Dietrich] Mateschitz but I would have thought it might appeal to him too.

Asswipe.
george Mar 22nd, 2009 at 12:01 pm

The budget cap decision will be stuffed down the throats of F1 for two simple reasons. It will undermine the teams request for a greater share of the income as they will have limited expenses, and it will drive the technology driven car manufacturers from the sport. Which in and of it’s self is not a terrible idea.

Full Throttle

A Member of the Thunder Lounge Network