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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:
| Driver | Team | 2003 | 2002 |
| Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) | McLaren | 40 | 32 |
| Michael Schumacher (Germany) | Ferrari | 38 | 34 |
| Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) | Ferrari | 26 | 18 |
| Fernando Alonso (Spain) | Renault | 25 | 15 |
| David Coulthard (Scotland) | McLaren | 23 | 17 |
| Ralf Schumacher (Germany) | Williams | 20 | 9 |
| Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia) | Williams | 15 | 9 |
| Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) | Jordan | 10 | 10 |
| Jarno Trulli (Italy) | Renault | 10 | 4 |
| Jenson Button (Britain) | BAR | 8 | 3 |
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Read what others have to say:
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Number of User Comments: 3
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Sub: Shumi
Well I have abs no doubts on skils of Kim but then still i have this feeling he has still some more yrs to go ...
Posted by Vivek
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Sub: Raikkonen
Just wait till McLaren unveil their new car, then we'll see who's a better driver, Schumacher or Raikkonen. If you saw the way Raikkonen kept ...
Posted by chandrashekhar
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Sub: Gr8 Shumi
Well, being highly optimistic i blive it was just matter of time b4 'Shumi' got in groove...It wud b really tough for others to pick ...
Posted by Vivek Kumar
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