Well, he might not have said quite that, but sort of. I shall explain.

Bernie Ecclestone confirmed to The Times that he wants a medal system for the 2009 Formula 1 championship, with the winner of most gold medals crowned champion.

Under that system, Felipe Massa – with six wins to Lewis Hamilton’s five – would have won this year’s world title. So Ecclestone is saying that Massa should have won the championship, he’s better than Hamilton, and that Hamilton’s rubbish. That definitely what he’s saying.

Anyway, would medals be a good idea? It would encourage drivers to really go for the win; but it would also be a kick in the pants for drivers outside the top three in each race, as they’d get nothing. That’s why the points system was changed some years ago to award points to 8th place rather than just 6th.

The constructors’ championship would be unaffected, so there would still be rewards for consistency – just not really for drivers. But on balance, I think it would be a good thing. Formula 1 needs drastic changes, and this is certainly less stupid than a standard engine.

But one of Ecclestone’s incidental assertions is bizarre: “Everybody understands gold medals and silver and bronze. Nearly all sports are done that way.” Really? Nearly all? Silly man.