Jerez, Spain - The new rules for deciding this season's Formula One drivers' title ratified by FIA earlier this week have been met with criticism by some of the sport's top names, including defending world champion Lewis Hamilton.

"I don't really like it," the McLaren-Mercedes driver was quoted by Thursday's Bild newspaper as saying while two-time world champion Fernando Alonso also expressed his unease at the new points system where the driver with the most wins takes the title.

"I don't understand why the rules have to be constantly changed," said the Spaniard, who demanded a return to the old system whereby the drivers' champion was decided by the number of points accumulated in a season.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone on the other hand said the new modus would lead to more action on the track, starting with the season- opening Australian Grand Prix on March 29.

"The boys should start having real races again," said the 78-year- old Briton.

However, Jenson Button of the new Brawn GP team, said the new system had its pitfalls.

"Of course, it's a draw to have to drive for victory all the time but it seems a little risky to me," said Button.

"We could have a situation after nine races where the title is already decided and the driver can then sit back and relax."

The new system could hit Hamilton harder than others as McLaren expect to be strongest in the final third of the season, by which time it could be too late for the
24-year-old.

"It should be about the team and driver as a unit that is best over a whole year, not who wins the most races," said Hamilton. (dpa)