While 2014 was already going to be a big year for Formula One in terms of regulation changes, no one saw the FIA’s latest changes coming.
In the wake of Vettel’s dominant 2013 championship winning campaign, many have been clamouring for his stranglehold on the World Championship to come to an end.
The FIA delivered in an unexpected manner, announcing on Tuesday the final Grand Prix of the 2014 season in Abu Dhabi will see double points awarded.
The FIA says the changes will “maximise focus on the championship until the end of the campaign” in an era where many fans are being turned away by what some call a predictable outcome to the final championship positions.
Many have ridiculed the FIA on their decision to add the amendment to the 2014 regulations, particularly as it essentially decreases the value of other races throughout the season.
Sebastian Vettel has even come out and stated his displeasure at the new regulation amendment, through German newspaper Sport Bild.
“Imagine it, at the last Bundesliga match there would suddenly be double points,” he was quoted in the report.
“This is absurd and punishes those who have worked hard for a whole season. I’m fond of the old traditions in Formula One and do not understand this new rule.”
As the regulations are now prominently devised by the F1 Strategy Group that consists of FIA officials and management from selected teams, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko revealed there was more to the original plan, and only the final race was decided upon because of reasons like Vettel has stated.
“At first it was planned that double points would be awarded for the last four races,” Marko said.
“Then the world championship up to that point would have been almost useless.”
In the time since the announcement, many have further derided the FIA’s decision, although this isn’t the first time late changes have been included for an upcoming season, especially in regards to how the championship is awarded.
In 2009, the FIA originally decided to award the championship on a ‘medal tally’, similar to that used at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, as suggested by Bernie Ecclestone.
However, much like the double points announcement, those who follow the sport were not happy with the decision and prior to the season starting, the FIA backtracked on its decision.
Other changes to the regulations include the implementation of a spending cap, much like former FIA President Max Mosley tried to introduce late in his final term, as well as drivers selecting numbers to use on their cars for their whole career, much like in MotoGP.
Lotus driver Romain Grosjean expressed his thoughts on the matter on Twitter, seeing as he now has a big decision ahead of him.
“Trying to find which number I could race in the future…any suggestion welcome . Few ideas but still thinking about it… #f1 #number.”
Trying to find which number I could race in the future…any suggestion welcome
Nicholas Belardo
Roar Guru
Thanks, I've been meaning to start writing more this year, thought it was a good time to do it. Yeah, surely it will be scrapped, but I think Vettel brings up the key point as to why it has received so much backlash: It devalues the rest of the championship season. At least KERS and DRS are available all year round, despite how much it tends to cheapen the racing on track. The numbers I think we are all happy about! Imagine Ferrari makes all their drivers have 27 and 28, the link to the past is now coming together!
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
Nice piece mate! The double points will surely be scrapped if the backlash from the fans keeps up, and already as you pointed out, some drivers aren't exactly keen on it either, it just seems like another Mickey Mouse rule which takes away from the purity of racing in the same vein of DRS and KERS. Happy about the numbers, I've wanted to see it this way for years, it should create the sentimental attachment to a driver which existed in the 80s and 90s.