F1 Points in discussion

With the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship set to start next month, F1 appears to be a bit in limbo.

The new Formula One regulations have meant that the new cars for 2014 are being rolled out of the factory for the first time and receiving different reviews.

Changes to aerodynamics have left the cars behaving differently to past years with a large drop in downforce affecting the cornering speeds, whilst the new engines and powertrains have left some teams struggling for reliability.

Throw that into the mixer and 2014 could be one of the most unpredictable seasons on record.

But that’s not enough for Formula One, F1 also needs the politics and constant tweaks to the rules and regulations.

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

Ecclestone and the FIA had already announced the idea of double points for the final race of the Formula One season, which has been approved by the Formula One strategy group.

Which means that the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a track with no history or soul is, points wise, 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.

Just that proposal was met with anger from those in and around the sport, 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’.

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.

It’s unlikely to receive approval as it would need all of the teams to agree unanimously to the changes. But it will be discussed during the next testing session.

Ironically, considering Sebastian Vettel’s comments, the likes of Red Bull and the Renault powered teams could well be in favour of the proposal as their slow start to testing would mean they could make a recovery if there were more points available towards the end of the year.

But for that exact reason Mercedes and the Mercedes powered teams will oppose the move as they are hoping to gain an early seasons advantage over their rivals.