There has been a lot of discussion about the newly instated rule of most wins equals’ title winner.
There is not a huge opposition to it, although the news that Felipe Massa would have been rightful champion last season obviously has not gone down too well with Hamilton fanatics.
Indeed, had this rule have come into place two years ago, the rightful champion and driver of 2007, Kimi Raikonnen, would have won the title by two wins instead of by just the one point he edged out in bizarre fashion at the season's climax.
His car's reliability issues had nearly cost him the title in the first place, but karma in the end appeared to prevail.
Yes, the new rule will definitely encourage overtaking. Hamilton, Massa, Alonso and Raikonnen will look to fight like they have never fought before for precious wins, which could ultimately tally up to title glory.
In this respect, straight away the defence of this rule coming into place has a great deal of validity.
A driver who shows his dogged determination to win races will be aptly rewarded, as opposed to the driver who consistently but deliberately edges onto the second or third steps of the podium in a race they could have won, but instead settled for the reward of points that would keep the title race open.
There is however, one downside that I see to this rule, and the 2008 season shows a brilliant case in point. Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton, points wise, were the statistical top two drivers of the season last year, memorably culminating in the last-corner dramatics that were Hamilton’s title glory and Massa’s heartbreak.
But were their seasons the top two performances of the season as a whole? The simple answer is no. Lewis Hamilton was solid at points, but arguably a weaker version of his debut season self.
Felipe Massa also was stronger than he had ever been, much to the shock and amazement of his harsh critics, but still on occasions showed a lack of maturity and consistency in his driving.
On the other hand, two drivers shone throughout the season, outperforming their cars and showing immense speed and great tenacity as if there was no tomorrow.
Sebastien Vettel became the youngest winner in Formula 1 history, demolishing Kovalainen in Italy and elevating himself into superstar status.
Race after race, he tore up the form book for this Toro Rosso team and showed what an average car could do in the hands of professional talent.
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