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Home > Sports > News > Reuters > Report

Schumacher thwarted by new F1 scoring

Alan Baldwin | May 20, 2003 19:31 IST

Formula One's new scoring system prevented Ferrari's Michael Schumacher from taking the lead in the championship for the first time this season in Austria last weekend.

The five-times world champion would have moved two points clear of McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen under the old format after his victory at the A1-Ring.

Instead, the German left Austria still two points adrift of the young Finn despite winning the last three Grands Prix.

Formula One changed the points system from 10-6-4-3-2-1 to 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 at the start of the season to liven up the sport and make the championship closer after a year of domination by Ferrari and Schumacher.

Analysis of the scoring after six rounds of the 16 race championship shows that Schumacher would have 34 points under the old system rather than 38 at present. Raikkonen would have 32 rather than 40.

Schumacher, who won last year's title with six Grands Prix to spare, benefited from the new system earlier this season however when it kept him closer to the leaders after his worst championship start.

The German is not the only 'loser'. Briton David Coulthard would be fourth overall and ahead of Spaniard Fernando Alonso rather than fifth at present.

Italy's Giancarlo Fisichella would be sixth rather than eighth and ahead of both Williams drivers Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya.

Jaguar and Australian Mark Webber would have no points, rather than the four gleaned from two seventh places. They would also be behind Toyota rather than ahead in the actual championship.

Renault would also have scored a point more than Williams rather than being currently level in third place.

The following is a comparison of the top 10 places:

DriverTeam20032002
Kimi Raikkonen (Finland)McLaren4032
Michael Schumacher (Germany)Ferrari3834
Rubens Barrichello (Brazil)Ferrari2618
Fernando Alonso (Spain)Renault2515
David Coulthard (Scotland)McLaren2317
Ralf Schumacher (Germany)Williams209
Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia)Williams159
Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy)Jordan1010
Jarno Trulli (Italy)Renault104
Jenson Button (Britain)BAR83

© Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.



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