Following the FIA's announcement that it is to conduct "market research" into the issue, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has reiterated his belief that the sport needs a medals-based championship, indeed, he argues that it would improve the racing.

In an interview with his own website, formula1.com, which is no doubt part of his market research, Ecclestone makes a number of interesting claims.

"It will make Formula One a much more exciting spectacle because it will incentivise drivers to race to win."

"We should see much more overtaking, drivers will take more chances and they will race each other all the way to the chequered flag."

"Being a Formula One world champion is not about being a consistent and reliable runner-up. It's about racing hard, taking chances and not settling for second best."

"More overtaking", "hard racing" and "battling all the way to the chequered flag"... it sounds too good to be true. Indeed, Bernie's claims beggar the question, how has F1 survived, indeed, flourished, since 1950 without medals.

If he's correct this is what we've all been waiting for. Or is it?

In a recent poll on Pitpass, over 95% of readers who voted, voted to retain the points system, however, we all know that such polls mean little.

Therefore, we want your opinion on this issue, do you feel F1 would benefit from a medals based championship or not, and why.

We'll leave discussion of the other new rules agreed by FOTA and the FIA for now and concentrate on this one issue, in order that we can give the FIA a little assistance with its market research… after all, this comes direct from the people who supposedly really matter, the fans.

So, will a medals based system improve the drivers' world championship or not? You tell us (and Bernie!)

Chris Balfe
Editor

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Gilbert Pednaut - Montreal