10/12/2013
NEWS STORY
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has joined F1 fans and media in criticising the new double points rule, the German labelling the idea "absurd".
For next season, in a thoroughly misguided attempt to add spice to the final race and potentially keep the championship battle alive, the season finale will earn drivers double points. This means that next year's season ending event in Abu Dhabi will be worth the same number of points as Monza and Monaco combined, Silverstone and Spa.
While fans take to social media and forums to air their frustration at what they see as another ludicrous move by the sport's powers that be in an attempt to manufacture a result, they have been joined by an unlikely ally, four-time world champion Vettel.
"You can hardly imagine that on the last match of the Bundesliga season, matches are suddenly worth twice as many points," he told Bild. "It's absurd and it punishes the drivers who have worked hard through the whole season. I value the old traditions in Formula One and don't understand this rule. Drivers, fans and experts are horrified."
While the rule, if it had existed, would have had no impact on the outcome of the 2013 championship, if it had applied in 2012 Fernando Alonso would have won the title by 7 points.
by Chris Balfe