Red Bull's Adrian Newey criticizes double points rule, equates F1 with WWE

Adrian Newey

Red Bull Racing’s chief technical officer Adrian Newey has joined former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve in criticizing the double points rule that is to be employed from this season on.

Newey told AUTOSPORT, “It’s a personal view, but I’m not a fan of it at all. To me it just seems very artificial that third place (in the last race) will now be worth more than first place at Monaco or another race.

“It’s a shame that in the drive to try to keep the championship alive to the very last race you take this artificial route to it. (It) just seems to me to be cheapening the sport.

“It makes it just a little bit WWF (now WWE) to me,” he added.

Newey admitted that its probably too late for any change in the rules now as the season is barely a few weeks away.

“I think for this year, no”, he said. “Whether it gets changed for subsequent seasons or not is going to depend on public opinion post the end of the season.

“If, of course, viewing figures are much higher and people aren’t turning off in protest then it will be deemed a success and will continue,” he finished, with a hint of resignation.