By BMW Sauber F1
March 28 2009

Shortly before the start of the season, the FIA caused great discussion with its decision that the Formula One World Champion would, in the future, be determined by the number of victories achieved over the course of the season. In the meantime, this change has been deferred after protests from the teams. "We think that the incentive to win races should be increased, so we are in line with that," explains BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. "This is why we made the proposal to give the winner more points. This would make it easier to understand for everybody, because you still have only one criterion - the points - but you make sure that winning is rewarded in the right way."

The FIA's decision also found little approval among the drivers. Nick Heidfeld found: "It is all a question of personal opinion, but that does not appeal to me. Points make it easier to follow who is winning the World Championship. We don't have just one race, but 17 or 18. In the end the winner should be the one who has consistently been at the front of the field."