F1 creates ‘Vettel Rule’

Formula 1 drivers will be awarded double points for the final round of the season from 2014 onwards, in an attempt to prolong championship battles in an attempt to stop Sebastian Vettel from clinching the title too early.

The tweak was agreed by the sport's Strategy Group and Commission in Paris on Monday, and will immediately become part of the regulations as both bodies were handed rule-changing rights by the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) last week.

Both the Drivers' and Constructors' standings will be affected, with 50 points going to the winner, 36 for second place, 30 for third and so on throughout the top ten positions.

If the rule had been in place for recent seasons, the 2008 and 2012 Drivers' titles would have gone to different drivers.

In 2008, Felipe Massa's victory would have been enough to halt Lewis Hamilton, while Fernando Alonso's second place finish last season would have seen him usurp Sebastian Vettel.

Standard points system:

1st – 25
2nd – 18
3rd – 15
4th – 12
5th – 10
6th – 8
7th – 6
8th – 4
9th – 2
10th – 1

Season finale points system:

1st – 50
2nd – 36
3rd – 30
4th – 24
5th – 20
6th – 16
7th – 12
8th – 8
9th – 4
10th – 2