Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo claims that the controversial double points rule due to be introduced in 2014 could still be scrapped.

The rule, whereby the final race of the season (Abu Dhabi) will see the top ten finishers earn double the points they would gain elsewhere has been widely ridiculed as one of the most blatant attempts to manipulate the sport in living memory. Indeed, barely anyone, other than Sergio Perez, has spoken in favour of the new rule.

Speaking to journalists at his team's Christmas lunch for the media, Montezemolo, himself apparently no fan of the rule, said it could yet be scrapped.

"I am not enthusiastic about it, because for me it looks too artificial," he said, according to Reuters. “We will see," he added.

Asked if the rule might yet be dropped before the season gets underway, in light of the public outcry, he admitted: "This I don't know. I will not be surprised if after one year they will change it."

Revealing that Ferrari had not vetoed the proposal as it felt the issue was unimportant, Montezemolo said there will be further discussions.

"I don't want that Ferrari puts a veto for something that is not so essential to Formula One," he said. "I would put a veto if they asked me to do a four cylinder engine, because I don't do motorcycles. I would put a veto if they decided that now the drivers are obliged to drive with one hand because they get tired and it's more interesting for the race.

"I think the best way to find out may be to do one year as a test," he said. "I personally have some doubts. I told this to Todt and I told this to Bernie 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, media, all the stakeholders of Formula One."

Of course, Montezemolo's attitude towards the rule could yet change should a situation arise as in 2012 when double points in the final race would have seen his driver, Fernando Alonso, take the title.

Furthermore, according to Pitpass' sources Bernie Ecclestone, who had previously suggested that F1 follow the ATP's system, is keen to see the double points idea extended to the last three races, something that would surely cause even more outrage... three particular races now essentially worth the same as six others.

by Chris Balfe

LATEST NEWS

more news >

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

Click to go to the main galleries section

READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Paul C, 01/01/2014 4:41

"If you are going to mess with points for a race designate one or more races as events where ALL of the finishers receive points, even Caterham, Marussia and the new team to be named. Don't imitate tennis, imitate NASCAR. Keep all of the teams in the points."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by Kkiirmki, 22/12/2013 22:45

"And now Bernie is suggesting double points at the last 3 races??? If there was ever a time when Ferrari should use it's veto power then this is it."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

3. Posted by GoodPublicity, 21/12/2013 15:07

"It's incredible that a man who surely is paid a telephone number salary didn't see the blatant stupidity of this rule. What a classic example of 'The Piero Principle'!"

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

4. Posted by Chris Roper, 20/12/2013 23:40

"But the venue with double points probably has to pay double the hosting fee, could that be why Brazil has lost the Season Finale? "

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

5. Posted by emcomments, 20/12/2013 18:04

"How about the 3 races being chosen at random but not disclosing which until after the end of the season. Then we could have some really "interesting" racing!

Bloody FIA."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

6. Posted by stangelj, 20/12/2013 15:20

"Why upset your paying fan-base for even one year? Formula 1 is a very technical sport, and the points system should be equally technical.

Are the owners really that out of touch with the fans? Honestly, I expect reason will prevail and they will drop it before the season starts, earlier if they are smart."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

Montezemolo: Double points rule could be dropped

LATEST NEWS

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

POST A COMMENT

Post your comment

READERS COMMENTS

Share this page