03/11/2014
NEWS STORY
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff fears that the outcome of the fight for the drivers' title will be overshadowed by the double points on offer in Abu Dhabi.
It is hard to find anyone in favour of Bernie Ecclestone's brainchild - though at least he didn't get his way and have double points introduced for the final three races. Nonetheless, with two races remaining it is likely that the move introduced to 'spice up' the end of the season will in fact end up doing further damage to the sport.
Yesterday's 1-2 for Mercedes, despite a bold performance from Daniel Ricciardo, finally ended any hopes of the Australian taking the title, leaving Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg as the sole contenders.
The 24 point lead the Briton takes to Brazil this weekend means that whatever happens the title fight will go down to the wire in Abu Dhabi, where the dreaded double points come into play.
"I don't have a fear, but I think the last race with the double points has the potential to overshadow the season," Wolff told reporters in Austin.
"We know why we have double points, which made sense to make it spectacular for the audience, the fans and the viewers," he added. "But now we are in a situation where it could change the outcome."
Of course, there have been some anomalies in terms of the points system over the years, not least drivers only being able to count so many results, a rule, which if it had not been in force, would have seen several seasons with a different outcome. However, in the eyes of most, the double points on offer in Abu Dhabi are nothing more than a silly gimmick and one which could backfire.
Having seen his team score its tenth 1-2 of the season, thereby equalling McLaren's long-standing record from 1988 - the season in which the Woking outfit won all but one race - Wolff said he could now relax... if only just a little.
"As a kid I remember this dominant season of McLaren, seeing those cars scoring one-twos all the time up to a point that it was almost boring. It was just pure dominance. For us to equal that record, and to be able to do one or two more, is proof the team have done many things right and we have taken many good decisions.
"Normally I don't care about statistics," he admitted, "but that one is something which reminds me of many years ago."