[fia=1] Ecclestone gives up on F1 double points

Bernie Ecclestone has revealed that he is no longer pushing for a repeat of his controversial plan to award double points at the last race according to an article in the Independent by Christian Sylt.

Double points are in place for F1's season-ender next weekend in Abu Dhabi and will likely decide the title battle between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

However, Ecclestone, who was the brainchild of the plan, says that it may be dropped next year.

F1 personalities and fans opposed it from the moment it was announced in December last year. Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel said it is "absurd and punishes those who have worked hard for a whole season." More recently, Mercedes' motorsport boss Toto Wolff said "nobody likes the double points... I don't think Bernie even likes them now. It's going to be something that we should probably be getting rid of for next season."

The double points plan wasn't simply criticised because it would manipulate race results but also because it favours Abu Dhabi which is often one of the most processional Grands Prix. It makes the race worth twice as much as classics like Britain and Monaco with the winner scoring 50 points instead of the usual 25. Rosberg trails Hamilton by 17 points so awarding double at the finale increases his chances of taking the title.



Ecclestone created the plan and pushed for the last three races to be worth double which would put less emphasis on the season-ender.

"One race is stupid but imagine if it was the last three races," he says. "It means that somebody would have to have a 150 point advantage minimum to be sure they will win. The teams have not accepted it because they are bloody idiots. They are all mechanics. They think of their team in the short term."

Repeating the plan requires consent from all of the teams and Ecclestone says "I'm not going to propose the three races again. I'm going to let them get on with it." He adds "I don't know what we're going to do next year." Time will tell.