Perez backs F1 double points plan

New Force India driver sees ‘positives’ in controversial rule.

LONDON:

Mexican driver Sergio Perez went against the flow of popular opinion by backing a controversial rule change for Formula One to award double points at the final race of the season.

Red Bull’s quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel has called the change ‘absurd’ while irate fans have flooded social media and message boards with opposition to what many consider a needless gimmick.

Perez, announced as a Force India driver after losing his place at McLaren, begged to differ.

“For some it will be right and for some it will be wrong, but I see the positive. I think it will create a much better final race where things can completely change for everyone,” he told reporters at a team presentation. “I see it as a positive...I am OK with the rule.”

Force India scored 77 points in total last year, finishing sixth. With a win in Abu Dhabi next November now worth 50 points instead of 25, there is the potential for teams to make sudden and big jumps up the table.

Formula One’s governing body has also decided to allow drivers to choose their racing numbers in future and keep them throughout their grand prix careers, with the exception of the number one reserved for the reigning champion if he wanted it.

Perez said he would go for the number 11, if available, and also approved of that change. “A lot of things of mine have to do with 11 so I identified myself with that number,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2013.

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