Formula 1 double points rule is unfair says Mercedes' Toto Wolff

The team's drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton are locked in a close battle for the F1 world championship, which is likely to swing decisively based on the result of the final race of the season.

Although all teams unanimously agreed to the double points proposal ahead of the season, Mercedes commercial boss Toto Wolff believes the new scoring system is unfair.

"I don't think it is fair and I don't think we should have done it," Wolff admitted.

"But the commercial rights holder, who takes the sponsorship and cares about the TV audiences, said we need to keep the excitement until the last race, and it looks like he was right.

"I would be very surprised if it [the title battle] wouldn't come down to double points.

"Even if you are 30 points behind you can turn it around in Abu Dhabi if the leading guy retires.

"Maybe Bernie [Ecclestone] was right in having double points if it's going to keep the championship open until the last race?

"The last race could be the decisive one, and I would be very surprised if the audiences weren't larger than they would normally be."

Wolff reckons neither of his drivers would care if double points made the difference for them in clinching the crown, but that it would be tough for the loser to accept.

"I think the driver who loses the title because of double points will need some psychological treatment, but we are not there yet," Wolff added.

"The racing between the two is so close; retirements are going to play a crucial role."