• Ferrari

Double points finale could be dropped after first year

ESPN Staff
December 20, 2013 « UK broadcasters announce 2014 TV schedules | Alonso hints at picking No.14 »
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Formula One's new double points rule at the final race of the season could be dropped after just one year, according to Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.

The rule, which is designed to keep the championship battle open for longer, will see next year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix pay out double points. It has been met by scepticism among fans and Montezemolo said Formula One needs to take the backlash into consideration.

"I am not enthusiastic about it, because for me it looks too artificial. We will see," he was quoted as saying by Reuters.

"I think the best way to find out may be to do one year as a test. I personally have some doubts. I told this to [FIA president Jean] Todt and I told this to Bernie [Ecclestone] privately.

"Anyway, we had unanimous agreement to do it. We will look at it but in the future we need to have far more involvement of the teams, the tifosi [fans], media, all the stakeholders of Formula One."

Reigning champion Sebastian Vettel called the new rule "absurd" while ex-F1 driver Eddie Irvine labelled it as "tinsel town bull****".

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