20/01/2014
NEWS STORY
Bernie Ecclestone says that double points will definitely be on offer in the final race of 2014 despite reports claiming otherwise writes Christian Sylt in American magazine Autoweek.
The controversial plan has attracted criticism from fans and from all quarters of F1. Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel said that it "is absurd and punishes those who have worked hard for a whole season" whilst Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo added "I'm not enthusiastic. For me it looks too much artificial."
The decision to go ahead with it was made in early December by the Strategy Group, a body comprising Formula One Management, six leading teams and the FIA. Each had equal weight and although the plan got the green light Ecclestone said at the end of December that it could be vetoed at the next Strategy Group meeting before the season begins in March. Some sceptics also said that the brakes could be put on it as a result of Ecclestone's recent exit from the F1 board amidst bribery allegations. However, according to him, nothing can stop it going ahead.
"It will happen for sure," he says, adding "I didn't say it will get vetoed. Nobody can veto it. It has been approved by the Formula One Commission. It has been approved by the World Council."
Ecclestone admits that he has put the plan up for discussion at the next Strategy Group meeting but says that this is because he wants to extend it to apply to the last three races.
As Pitpass has reported, the teams objected to this at the previous Strategy Group meeting but it hasn't deterred Ecclestone. "I have got it on the agenda for the next meeting. I want to start three races again," he says adding that this could only come into effect this year "if everybody that has entered the championship agrees."
He also launched a critique of the claim from close friend Vettel that "'I work hard all the year and then I get near to the end and somebody else wins that race, gets double points and I'm really screwed.' I said to him 'it could be you that gets double points and it's somebody else who has worked hard all year.' I said 'don't be too sure that you are going to have an easy year either.' He might be very happy. There is nothing wrong with it for anybody. It is the same for everybody."
FIA president Jean Todt and Ecclestone have called a meeting with the teams on Wednesday in Geneva and although double points will be on the agenda fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Ecclestone admits it is unlikely that it will be extended to three races. He says he is happy with one and adds that it means "the press and television have got a story. The championship is not over. For whoever wins the last race it is like winning the last two races. They still have a chance."
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