Well, I've only read the first 2 pages and want to say smoething, because I can't finish reading it yet and propably will forget to write down the things I think about it, if I do it later.
First of all: The one wins, who is the best. Point. Nothing to discuss here. If he is the best and can beat the others with the same premises as the others, he just deserves it. Thats what sport is about. Everyone have the same premises and the best wins. When you now try to make it harder for the best, it just makes you ridiculous. It's the same like you would've given all the drivers behind Lance Armstrong EPO (they propably have taken it anyway, but we assume now, they didn't), that they have bigger chances to keep up with him.
If you really think so, you should cancel the TM for the next ESWC immediately, because that would bring the whole TM scene in a bad light.
Now to the topic itself. For me the mode we have at the moment is the best for sure. Think about FET (in TMU and this month the TMN-FET starts). It never were really close on those roundmaps. Often the first were many seconds infront of the second and this would make the gap alot higher between the best and the competitors. In the "Round-by-Round"-Mode they competitors have the same chances each round to get the first.
Also I think more important is the diversity for spectators and not very very close runs. You did the first step with the dirt parts (looks fine for spectators, while I really dislike them) and the other new Pparts. For me the logical next step would be to use TMU instead of TMN, but I'm sure I know why you and Nadeo doesn't want to, so we have to think about some other solutions.
The question now is, how to make races closer/more interesting for spectators?
1. Take TMU
2. Ensure that players will train less (=more crashes). For example you could invite them 2 days before the matchday and give them a PC and the tracks.
3. Use a different group system. I've actually liked the GC6 System. More players in the final surely would be more fun to spectate.
I can't think of more atm, but If I have some ideas, I'll give them 2 you.