According to Ecclestone, however, the change could well come as soon as next
month. “Personally my preference would be for the final three races to be
worth double points,” Ecclestone told The Daily Telegraph.
“But it may well be that the rule is cancelled altogether at the next
[Strategy Group] meeting in January. I think it should be the final three
races or nothing. The final three races would mean the championship is kept
interesting for everyone – fans, press and television – right until the end.”
Ecclestone added that he had received no objections from other circuits whose
races are due to be worth half as much as the season finale, which next year
takes place in Abu Dhabi.
It is understood that the idea of the final three races being worth double
points was considered in Paris, but was rejected in favour of the final race
only, which was approved unanimously, including by Ferrari’s representative
on the Strategy Group.
Speaking at Ferrari’s annual Christmas lunch for the media in Maranello,
Montezemolo touched on a number of other themes. Formula One, he said, was
“arriving at the end of a very, very important era” with the transition from
the autocratic rule of embattled 83 year-old Ecclestone to “a new system of
governance” the top priority.
With concerns that the current era of racing is “too complicated”, Montezemolo
added that he was keen to hold a summit meeting of team representatives
Maranello in the new year to discuss “the overall approach to Formula One”.
Montezemolo also denied there were any lingering issues with Fernando Alonso
after a season of tension behind the scenes, laughing off McLaren’s very
public declarations of interest. “This is something good for the press,” he
smiled. “You [the media] like sometimes to put some pepper on the food. And
yes, Fernando was frustrated sometimes not to have a car capable to win. But
this is the moment to be together. He has a contract with us until the end
of 2016. My only concern is to give him a better car.”
Montezemolo predicted that the return of Kimi Raikkonen to the team would help
to keep Alonso sharp while making it clear that the Spaniard remained the
team’s No 1 driver.
“I have a lot of problems today but the No 1 driver is not a problem,”
Montezemolo smiled when asked about a possible move in the future for
Sebastian Vettel or Lewis Hamilton.
Meanwhile, the BBC has announced its nine live picks for the 2014 season. It
will not have the opening race in Melbourne on March 16 or the Monaco Grand
Prix on May 26, but it will screen the season finale in Abu Dhabi live on
Nov 23. Sky Sports will have all 19 races live.