A Mercedes-Benz grand prix driver will win the 2014 Formula One world championship. But we won’t know whether it’ll be Lewis Hamilton or Nico Rosberg until the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
That’s because the final race of the season is worth double points.
So Hamilton, who leads by 24 points with two races to go after winning 10 races to Rosberg’s four, can’t wrap up the title in the penultimate race in Brazil where the usual 25 points is available for a win.
The decision to double the points for the season finale at Abu Dhabi drew heavy criticism when announced. After all, why should one grand prix count for double over another? Especially when Abu Dhabi can hardly justify the double-points stature over classic races such as Monaco, Monza and Silverstone.
The rule was designed to keep the championship battle alive going into the final race of the year, following the most recent Sebastian Vettel blowout seasons, which it will do. But at what cost to the fairness of the sporting contest?
Even if Hamilton wins in Brazil and Rosberg doesn’t score points, Hamilton will lead by 49 points heading into the season finale – still within catching distance should Rosberg win in Abu Dhabi and Hamilton score nothing.
But is it right that Hamilton, who has undoubtedly been the better driver and therefore the deserving champion, could lose the championship with a badly-timed retirement in the double-points finale?
Given Mercedes-Benz’s speed advantage over the rest of the field and it’s an almost certainty that should they finish, one of the team’s drivers will win. But both Rosberg and Hamilton have recorded two retirements each this season, highlighting that the Mercedes-Benz package isn’t exactly bulletproof.
So the championship does indeed hinge on whether Hamilton’s Mercedes-Benz avoids any problems in Abu Dhabi, hardly a fair way to decide the title fight when he has had the edge over his teammate.
“The last race with double points has the potential to overshadow the season,” said Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff, who echoed the sentiments of many Formula One fans.
“We know why the double points came – and it made all the sense in the world to make it spectacular for the viewers – but now we’re in a situation where it could change the outcome.”
In a season where controversy has dogged Formula One – from the financial crisis that’s sent two teams into administration, to dwindling crowds blamed on the meek noise from the new-generation engines to Mercedes’ domination – the last thing the sport needs is the wrong driver winning the championship because of a wrong rule.
woodart
Guest
double points is a gimmick but no more so than team orders telling one driver to slow and let team-mate pass, that is a huge rort and has happened frequently in F1. F1 is a farce in so many ways, and looks second-rate compared to moto-gp.
Kate
Guest
The double points should be abolished, let the win be fair & square
Chris
Guest
If any race should be double points it's Monaco.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Well it is Brazil after all, and it's a race that's tossed up some pretty interesting championship twists over the years. The weather is set to be the usual rain and thunderstorms too, so it'll be hard predicted a result.
Distant Knight
Guest
If Nico does win in Brazil and Lewis has a DNF, what are the odds that Nico then just pulls a Prost / Senna at the first corner in Abu Double? Followed by a Nascar style punch up in the pits afterwards. This would have to be Bernies wet dream come true, think of the publicity flowing into his bank account after that!
bill
Guest
wow, hadn't thought of that scenario - that would be amazing. what are the odds of Lewis showing a bit of a brain and driving responsibly for a podium in Brazil. something tells me he will go all out for the win so he has that huge buffer and can always point at the double points as what robbed him...
f1nut
Guest
I'm no Hamilton fan but he should be champion this year. If Nico wins because of the double points it'll be tarnished for sure. I understand it keeps it interesting but its interesting for the wrong reasons. As an aside, I realise its unlikely, but Abu Dhabi would be exciting if Hamilton has a DNF in Brasil and Nico gets the 25 points. Gives him a 1 point lead going into the last race. Unlikely I know, but that would be proper interesting!
Simon Smale
Roar Guru
Totally agree. This double points rubbish risks turning Formula 1 into an even bigger farce than it already is. The teams and drivers should have fought this a lot harder when it was first proposed. Unfortunately moaning about it now is too late, and as ridiculous as it sounds that the entire season could effectively hinge on one mistimed retirement, no driver can complain because they agreed to it in the first place.