FIA president Max Mosley has proposed a new radical overhaul of the current driver penalty system used in Formula One racing.
FIA president Max Mosley has proposed a new radical overhaul of the current driver penalty system used in Formula One racing.
The plan comes amidst q deluge of complaints from teams and drivers about the controversial penalties dealt during races. Mosely wants the new system to be effective from the start of the 2004 season, if all the F1 teams agree.
His idea is that instead of drivers being handed drive-through penalties at the time, a licence points system would be introduced where unheeded warnings would result in a race ban.
The main thing, though, is that the new system would not require stewards to make decisions during the races, when all the information is not available to make fair decisions.
If Mosely’s plan goes ahead, the FIA would be able to conduct driver interviews and analyse technical data before making a decision.
Speaking to Mosley said: “This system would be much more satisfactory. There is a strong body of opinion that says you should have a referee who takes decisions immediately – like in football.
“I agree with that except if you don’t have to, and we don’t have to, then maybe it is better not to. Your first requirement is to be fair and what we have at the moment is bound to give the occasional odd result. Even if it is not unfair, people still think it is and that is just as bad.”
Meanwhile, Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari was upstaged by the Eurofighter Typhoon jet fighter in a duel between the two on Thursday.
Schumacher was driving the F2003-GA which secured him his sixth Formula 1 title.
Schumacher beat the Eurofighter over the shortest distance but was no match for the jet’s acceleration in the final two races. Weighing 600 kilograms, the Ferrari’s outer shell was adjusted to make it more aerodynamic.
According to Schumacher described the race as a “very interesting experience” and said it was “less pressured” than competing against rival Juan Pablo Montoya.