Double points for three races

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone would like to see the final three races of the season earn double points in the championships.

Earlier this month, Ecclestone and the FIA announced the idea of double points for the final race of the Formula One season.

The plan which has been approved by the Formula One strategy group, would indicate winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a track with no history or soul as twice as important as winning the likes of the iconic races such as Monaco or the British Grand Prix.

In fact with 24 points available for finishing fourth, that would be worth just one single point less than a race win during any other race weekend of the season. With second place taking 36 points and third taking 30.

At the back of the grid the importance of a good finish in Abu Dhabi could decide the outcome of an entire season in regards to the likes of backmarker teams like Caterham and Marussia.

The news was met with a mixed response, most fans and those in the media branded the gimmick as too artificial, whilst quadruple Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel said that idea was absurd and believed that drivers, fans and experts were ‘horrified’.

Our very own front page poll has 91% calling the idea ‘stupid’ with just 9% thinking it was a good plan.

Ecclestone however would like to see the double points plan extended to three races as it would extend the interest in the Formula One drivers and constructors championships for longer.

‘Personally my preference would be for the final three races to be worth double points,’ Ecclestone told The Daily Telegraph.

With fierce opposition coming from key members in the sport Ecclestone believes the idea could be dropped at the F1 Strategy Group meeting in January.

‘it may well be that the rule is cancelled altogether at the next meeting in January. I think it should be the final three races or nothing.

‘The final three races would mean the championship is kept interesting for everyone – fans, press and television – right until the end.’