LONDON, March 16 (Reuters) - Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone wants to change the rules to make sure the driver who wins the most races takes the title.

"I got a bit waylaid last season, what with all the business with McLaren and Ferrari, but it is my intention to push this idea through in the coming weeks," Ecclestone told Britain's Mail on Sunday.

The newspaper said Ecclestone wanted to have the title decided on race wins to force drivers to take more risks,
rather than a system that awards 10 points for a win and eight for second place.

"The key word in motor racing is 'racing,'" added the Briton, who has stayed in London while the season starts in
Australia.

"And right now there are not enough overtaking manoeuvres in the sport because drivers are happy not to take risks and claim second place because it is only two points less than winning the race.

"What I want to see is the winner of the most number of races as world champion, and second places only to be used if the top two finish the season with the same number of wins," said the 77-year-old.

"The constructors would keep the existing system."

Despite Ecclestone's comments, the Formula One title has gone to the driver with the most race wins in the championship in every year since 1989.

That year, Frenchman Alain Prost won with four victories to six for McLaren team mate Ayrton Senna.

Last year, with a three-way battle down to the wire between Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso was one of the most exciting in years.

(Writing by Alan Baldwin in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)