While Formula One has been often accused of becoming too predictable, Bernie Ecclestone has looked at ways to disprove that image. A new points scoring system, which will bring greater rewards for the winner, could be introduced for this season's championship. But another idea from Ecclestone could provide even more interest if it gets backing. The Formula One supremo wants to introduce short-cuts at each circuit to create more overtaking opportunities and, ultimately, more excitement.
"I've tried to push the teams with a number of proposals. Imagine a short-cut which a driver can use five times every race," he said. "It would stop people getting stuck behind others. "The other thing I've been pushing like crazy with people is that brakes these days are so efficient that I could brake as late as anyone else if I saw the braking markers. "In the 1970s and 80s, all the overtaking was done was under braking going into corners. That doesn't happen anymore.
"The other thing that's bad, in the 70s, whoever was in the top six places at half distance, you could guarantee that by the end of the race only three of them would be there. Now all six are there. You don't get people stopping anymore." On the points system, he added: "My idea was to make a much bigger gap between first and second, and maybe second and third. What I was trying to do was give people the incentive to overtake, not to sit there getting points."
Despite his attempts to introduce more changes, Ecclestone, speaking at the Wrooom 2010 event in Italy, felt this season's contest would be one to watch. "There's good competition inside the teams and the teams with each other. "I'd be surprised if it wasn't one of the best years for a long time."
