As you probably know, the points system has evolved a lot over the years, culminating, in 1993, in the one we all know. But if we look back over history, taking this system and applying it to all years, what would it be? Would world champions be dethroned? This new series will be divided into several parts, ideally one per decade. So today we will deal with the seasons 1970 à 1979.
This episode follows part two.
Find the first part right here.
This information is, of course, anecdotal, and have no real informative value. Indeed, the points systems adapt to their respective times, depending on the length of the season or the reliability of the machines. Furthermore, this concept is not new, since it was introduced to the general public by YouTube channel Formula Blabla (who authorized us to do the same), specializing in Formula 1 and its history. If you are passionate about four-wheeled prototypes, we highly recommend you take a look. Let's go !
Small reminder of the current system: the first mark 25 points, the second 20, the third
16, the fourth 13, the fifth
11, the sixth 10 and this gradually goes down unit by unit until 15e, which marks 1 points. For obvious reasons, only the premier category (500cc) will be covered.
At the beginning of the 1970s, the system respected the 1969 standard, i.e. 15 points for the first, 12 for the second, 10 for the third, 8 for the fourth, 6 for the fifth and this continued gradually unit by unit until 10th, which scores a point. Another additional point is awarded for the fastest lap in the race.
Surprisingly, no change is to be deplored in
1970 à 1974.
Top 3 1970:
1)
Giacomo AGOSTINI (250 dots)
2) Ginger MOLLOY (121 pts)
3) Angelo BERGAMONTI (98 pts)
Top 3 1971:
1)
Giacomo AGOSTINI (200 pts)
2) Keith TURNER (116)
3) Rob BRON (107 pts)
The late 60s and early 70s, or the Ago era. Photo: Nationaal Archief
Top 3 1972:
1) Giacomo AGOSTINI (250 pts)
2) Alberto PAGANI (145 pts)
3) Bruno KNEUBÜHLER (104 pts)
Top 3 1973:
1)
Phil READ (180 pts)
2) Kim NEWCOMBE (118 pts)
3) Giacomo AGOSTINI (95 pts)
Top 3 1974:
1) Phil READ (152 pts)
2) Gianfranco BONERA (133 pts)
3)
Teuvo LÄNSIVUORI (110 pts)
However, 1975 is a major turning pointr. First, this year offered one of the tightest explanations in history, between “ Aug " and Phil Read, in favor of Italian. Only the six best results were counted, and the four victories to two of the official MV Agusta allowed him to make a comfortable stitch mattress.
Read's consistency was not rewarded, but he would indeed have been world champion with the current scale! We would no longer talk about Agostini and his 10 500cc titles, Rossi would have equaled him in 2009! Is the gap with Hailwood that big in history, knowing that he would have benefited from the 1961 title instead of
Gary Hocking (see episode 2)? Too many interesting questions.
Moreover, this same regularity would have allowed
Teuvo Länsivuori to take third place overall, at the expense of the Japanese Kayana.
Top 3 1975:
1) Phil READ (142 pts)
2) Giacomo AGOSTINI (140 pts)
3) Teuvo LÄNSIVUORI (65 pts)
Phil Read, recognizable among thousands. Photo: Lawson Speedway.
The 1976 system is particularly complex. The allocation of points does not change, but the bonus for the best lap in the race disappears forever. Only the six best results (out of 12 rounds), including three among the first five races and three others among the last five, were retained. Are you still following? This strange rule was abandoned a year later.
This does not alter the 1976 ranking however.
Top 3 1976:
1) Barry SHEENE (144 pts)
2) Teuvo LÄNSIVUORI (90 pts)
3) Pat HENNEN (80 pts)
1977 was a pivotal year in the history of motorcycle Grand Prix. From now on, the results of all races will be recorded. There
END is pioneering, because this rule aimed at reducing the impact of mechanical breakdown will be maintained for more than ten years in Formula 1, even costing the championship
Alain Prost in 1988 !
Top 3 1977:
1) Barry SHEENE (180 pts)
2) Steve BAKER (16 pts)
3) Pat HENNEN (118 pts)
Wil Hartog, one of the best Dutch of all time, takes priority in Johnny Cecotto for third place overall in 1978.
Top 3 1978:
1) Kenny ROBERTS (185 pts)
2) Barry SHEENE (125 pts)
3)
Wil HARTOG (118 pts)
Same in 1979; Barry Sheene, with his five victories, would have fallen into a tie with Virginio Ferrari, a success, for second place. Indeed, the gap between the points of the first and the second is greater now (5 pts) than at the time (3 pts). Thus, Sheene takes P2 in number of victories.
Top 3 1979:
1) Kenny ROBERTS (202 pts)
2) Barry SHEENE (148 pts)
3) Virginio FERRARI (148 pts)
That's all for this episode! See you very soon for the continuation and end !
Cover photo: Hans Peters / ANEFO
