As a further disincentive to ruining someone’s race weekend the FIA is set to debate the introduction of a demerit points system to F1 super licenses that could lead to race suspensions.
It will work much like the points system you have on your everyday driver’s licence. Points will be added for any incidents the driver is deemed at fault for. If any F1 driver accumulates 12 points in a 12 month period then he’ll be suspended for one race.
A majority of teams, but not all, have given their approval for the new penalty points scheme and it’s now up to the FIA to give it their imprimatur. It’s believed Lotus, Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Williams were the teams to withhold their support.
Under the system race stewards would have discretionary powers for adding points to a driver’s F1 licence, using a base guide to determine the severity of offence. For example, causing a serious accident may attract a three point penalty, while failing to maintain a proper distance behind a safety car could attract one point.
Ferrari driver Felipe Massa says he’s not overly concerned by the idea. “Drivers who are creating problems will suffer more than the others. What I did all my career was not be involved in this, so it is OK,” he said.
[Source: Autosport | Pic: Ferrari]