Ecclestone wants medals to decide F1 title

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - Formula One race winners should receive gold medals next season with the world championship going to whoever wins most, commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone said on Tuesday.

"Everybody is happy with the idea, they are all very supportive," the 78-year-old told Reuters when asked whether the teams supported his suggestion.

"I'm absolutely 100 percent sure it's the right way to go, it'll get them (the drivers) overtaking," he added.

The idea has yet to be presented to the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA)'s world motor sport council however, with the next meeting scheduled for Monaco on December 12.

The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), representing all 10 teams, is also expected to discuss the plan at their next gathering.

Ecclestone wants to drop the existing points format to make races more exciting and ensure drivers go all out for victory rather than driving strategically to bank points and secure the title.

McLaren's 23-year-old Lewis Hamilton became the sport's youngest champion by a single point this season after finishing fifth in a nail biting final race in Brazil this month.

However, Ferrari's Felipe Massa, who won his home race in Brazil, would have been champion under a medals system since he had six victories to the Briton's five.