F1 must forget double points

Formula 1 fans have been back in the cinema this week, as the new 1: Life on the Limit documentary hits the silver screen.

Charting the evolution of F1 from a safety perspective may not have the glamorous Hollywood appeal of Rush, nor the charismatic central character of Senna, but it still tugs the heartstrings and reminds you of why we all love grand prix racing so much.

For however sad it is to again see the scenes from David Purley's desperate, but ultimately futile, attempts to save Roger Williamson after his accident at the 1973 Dutch Grand Prix, it's equally breathtaking being treated to onboard footage from Ayrton Senna's McLaren around Monaco in 1990.

The common theme throughout the film is one of passion and commitment - whether it be drivers, mechanics or team bosses.

Some have paid the ultimate price for that, but their sacrifice has helped further distil the spirit of F1 as the ultimate sporting battlefield.

Riding on board with Senna in Monaco in 1990 is a highlight of the 1 film © LAT

It got me thinking about the ludicrous situation F1 has found itself in ahead of what could be a thrilling 2014 campaign - thanks to the introduction of the 'double points' rule that fans neither called for, nor indeed want.

Following approval by the team principals and the FIA of Bernie Ecclestone's call for the tweak, there has been nothing but intense criticism about the gimmick of offering more for the final race of the campaign.

Previous significant rule changes - like the introduction of DRS, or a move towards more aggressive tyres - have left opinion divided pretty evenly. But it's hard to find anyone in favour of double points beyond those who actually voted for it in the first place.

With poll after poll showing that more than 90 per cent of fans are against the concept, double points is by far the most hated rule change that F1 has introduced.

As 1 showed, fans and those involved in grand prix racing have stood by the sport because of a purity to the competition. It's the ultimate test of man and machine and it hasn't been blighted by the need to falsify things to make it more exciting.

Rosberg was third in Abu Dhabi in 2013. This year that will be worth more than his Monaco win was © LAT

It's a season-long competition in which each and every race is as important. Sometimes that has produced thrilling season finales, and sometimes the title has been wrapped up early. If we get the latter, then that's just life. It simply makes the thrillers even better.

Creating a fake situation in which a driver wins a championship not because of the 25 points he got for winning at Spa or Suzuka, but because of the 30 points for finishing third at Yas Marina is ridiculous.

If F1's rulers are genuinely worried about one team or driver running away with things, then don't have a situation where the top teams earn so much more money than their rivals that they can eke out a huge advantage; or technical regulations that prevent much closer racing.

F1 has fallen foul of trying to fix a broken arm with nothing more than a plaster.

The real danger now is that there is a risk of disenfranchising fans over the double-points issue. In this era of booming social media, where those who follow the sport are closer than they have ever been, it's important they are listened to.

After the current outcry, what damage will be done if the title is swung by 'double points'? How can teams justify ignoring the very fans that the rule was supposed to be for?

The film 1 finishes with a spectacular montage of modern-day action accompanied by the Snow Patrol song Open your Eyes. It's a fitting title for the sport right now.

The fans have spoken. F1 rulers and shakers: it's time to open your eyes and take note. Double points must go.

This article also appears in the January 16 issue of AUTOSPORT magazine