Unpopular F1 rules, including double points, dropped for 2015

Controversial and decidedly unpopular Formula 1 sporting regulations that were introduced this year as well were due to be included from the 2015 F1 season have been dropped following a meeting of the sport's 'Strategy Group' and the FIA's (the governing body) Formula One Commission in Geneva yesterday.

The motor sport publication Autosport confirmed that double points being awarded in the season finale and standing restarts after safety car periods will not be a part of F1's sporting regulations from next year; despite being vehemently pushed for Bernie Ecclestone, the sport's embattled promoter.

The ban on direct help for drivers during a race that was enforced from the Singapore Grand Prix will stay as they are instead of a total ban on pit-to-car radio communication as had been proposed earlier.

The double points rule that was met with derision by almost everyone other than Ecclestone was designed to allow the fight for the F1 driver's title to go down to the last race. However, the title battle between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton went down to the season finale even without the aid of double points, which only ended up creating some weird scenarios that would have made it possible for Rosberg to beat Hamilton to the title.

OTHER F1 CHANGES
Among other changes that were tabled were a ban on tyre warmers, which was rejected by teams on safety grounds.

From next year, F1 teams will also not have to build their own suspension components and brake ducts in order to be considered a constructor. In order to limit the disadvantage for some of the heavier drivers in F1, the minimum weight of the cars will be increased from 691 kg to 701 kg.

A tweak to F1's testing regulations was also approved with three four day test sessions prior to the season (only in Europe) and two in-season tests.