Double points switch for season's final F1 race is absurd, says Vettel
Four times champion joins fans on social media in complaining against the decision
Red Bull’s four-times world champion Sebastian Vettel has branded as “absurd” a rule change to award double points at the final race of the Formula One season from next year.
The 26-year-old, winner of the last four championships, told Germany’s Sport Bild on Tuesday that he saw no merit in the change.
“You can hardly imagine that on the last match of the Bundesliga season, (soccer) matches are suddenly worth twice as many points,” said the German.
It punishes the drivers who have worked hard through the whole season. I value the old traditions in Formula One and don’t understand this rule
“It’s absurd and it punishes the drivers who have worked hard through the whole season. I value the old traditions in Formula One and don’t understand this rule,” he was quoted as saying.
The controversial change was announced by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) on Monday after a meeting in Paris with the sport’s new F1 Strategy Group and Formula One Commission that is made up of six teams including champions Red Bull.
The rule change has been roundly criticised by fans on social media.
“F1 demeans itself with double points gimmick,” declared a headline on the F1fanatic website, whose poll of more than 700 members showed 90 per cent opposed to the idea.