Finale of 2014 Formula 1 season will see several new regulations being implemented. The F1 Commission and F1 Strategy Group announced this decision post a meeting held in Paris. Of many new rules for 2014 Formula 1 season finale Grand Prix, a controversy has erupted on the offer of double points. Authorities are justifying this rule while others are relating it as absurd and full of implications. As per the statement made by FIA, under this provision of double points, “Double drivers’ and constructors’ points will be awarded at the final race of the Formula One season in order to maximise focus on the Championship until the end of the campaign. These changes are immediately applicable, given the mandate assigned to the FIA President at the last World Motor Sport Council meeting, held on 4 December in Paris.”
Notably, double point offer means that the winner of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will now accumulate 50 points as against 25 points for each of the other 18 races. Former F1 race winner John Watson warns about implications of the double point system. He said that the very idea of giving double points at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is a gimmick to refurbish a fake climax to the season. Watson, who finished his F1 career with the McLaren team, reportedly said, “This is a mechanism to try and alleviate the championship being won before the final round. If someone is second and close to the race leader and there is a chance to overtake and eventually win the championship, that's what they're trying to achieve. He also added, “That just doesn't do F1, its audience and the people who are investing in that audience any good whatsoever. The one thing that F1 does not need is the championship being won two or more races out. In 2012, when there were seven drivers winning the first races, the public enjoyed that and that's what they want to see.”
Watson, while giving more insight on his ideas on double points, also said, “As much as they admire Red Bull and Vettel, it was entertaining motor racing and the early 2012 model (of competition) is what F1 should be trying to achieve. But all double points would have done in 2013 is to guarantee more points for Red Bull because they had already won the championship. The doubles point is a novelty more than anything else. The teams that are the most successful that season will benefit from it most. I might be proved wrong but it seems to me that this isn't a meaningful change. I think that's it's something done in haste in response to what we've seen this year.” No wonder the ex-racer Watson adjudges new ruling as a novelty, which is going to benefit only big teams.
World champion Sebastian Vettel is not too happy and called the new rule as “absurd” and that it will “punish those who have worked hard for a whole season.” His statement could be analysed if one checks his records in 2010 and 2012. Vettel claimed 2010 and 2012 titles with the final race. However, if there had been a provision of double points earlier, the 2012 title would have gone to Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.
Some other items that have been unanimously approved following the meeting between F1 Strategy Group and the Formula One Commission in Paris are related to Cost cap, Pirelli Tyre test, Driver numbers and New penalties. Under the Cost cap, top authorities agreed on adopting the principle of a global cost cap. The enforced limit will be effective from January 2015. The F1 Commission has also allowed the Formula 1 tyre supplier, on safety grounds, to conduct a three-day Pirelli Tyre test in Bahrain from 17 – 19 December, 2013. Of all Formula 1 teams that have been invited, six teams namely Red Bull Racing, Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, Force India and Toro Rosso have already accepted the proposal.
Another interesting development that is wiping Formula 1 is related to cars that will undergo some major technical changes for the upcoming 2014 season. Notably, car design rules will be affecting the four main areas of the racing cars, which are nose & front wing, rear wing, cooling systems and exhaust.
