Source: http://f1.co.uk/formula-1-2016-just-how ... xt-season/
It's that time of year again! The first test is over, and with it the anticipation is building for... the Formula 1 world championship? No, something much tighter and more open!

It is...
The Planet F1 Top Three Championship of 2016This competition was first set up by PF1 member CarlPotter; unfortunately he stopped posting in 2014, and the competition became curated by Black_Flag_11, who did a great job taking us through two seasons of the championship. Sadly, life has gotten in the way for him as well, and as the first (and only) forumite to step forward, the curation of this noble competition falls to me. I hope you'll all go easy on me for any mistakes or lapses I make in my first year!
The RulesAs laid down in the original competition, here are the core rules of the Top Three Championship:
The scoring works like this:
You pick your predicted podium. For example, 1st: Vettel, 2nd: Hamilton, 3rd: Alonso.
1st Place Correct: 5 Points
2nd Place Correct: 3 Points
3rd Place Correct: 1 Point
All Three Correct: 5 Bonus Points
There are no points given out for having the correct drivers in the wrong order, so if you choose Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso, but it comes out Alonso, Vettel, Hamilton, then I'm afraid you score nothing.
NOTE: The deadline to submit your picks this year has changed; last year it was 20:00 UK time on the Friday of each race weekend. Effective from the start of the 2016 season, the time limit has been extended to any time before the official beginning of FP3. Any changes or any new entries made after the official start of FP3 will not count; this rule is not flexible, especially not now that it's been increased to a more generous limit.
You can only pick a driver once for any of the three positions. So you can't have Vettel, Vettel, Vettel.
At the end of the season, if there is a draw, the winner will be decided by whoever has achieved a "Perfect Prediction" the most number of times. A Perfect Prediction is, of course, getting all three correct. If that is equal, then it will come down to most rounds won and if that is equal, then the winner will be decided by the number of 1st Places correct, then 2nd, then 3rd... If it's still tied after that, then it will be declared a draw and the Championship will be shared. In addition to these original rules, in 2014 we introduced a (highly popular!) team championship to the competition. The mechanism for the team championship (you can call it the constructor's if you want) is exactly like in F1; each team has two 'drivers', and their points totals are added together to determine the team's points. Team orders, collusion and plotting are all very much allowed and encouraged, provided everything stays within the bounds of friendly competition and no rules are broken. It's Formula One, after all!
The Top Three Championship, 2016 edition, is now open for entries.You may enter as a single competitor or find a partner and form a team; being part of a team is not a requirement for entering the championship, although without a teammate you won't be able to contest both titles. Entries will be accepted up until the Grand Prix weekend of Melbourne (defined as the start of FP1); late entries are possible, but not preferred.
Good luck everyone, and have fun!