Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone says that his controversial plan to award twice as many points as usual for the final race will definitely be introduced this year despite reports to the contrary.

Ecclestone devised the plan in a bid to end German driver Sebastian Vettel's domination of F1. Vettel has won the F1 title with Red Bull Racing for the past four years and in 2013 wrapped it up three races before the end of the season.

The plan was announced in December after a vote by the Strategy Group, a body comprising Formula One Management, six leading teams and F1's governing body the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). It received widespread criticism, with Vettel saying it “is absurd and punishes those who have worked hard for a whole season,” while Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo added, “I'm not enthusiastic. For me it looks too much artificial.”

Late last month, it was reported that the rule could be cancelled at the next Strategy Group meeting before the start of the F1 season in March. Some observers also claimed that the brakes could be put on the plan as a result of Ecclestone's recent exit from the F1 board amidst bribery allegations.

He says that, in fact, it is past the point of no return: “It will happen for sure. I didn't say it will get vetoed. Nobody can veto it. It has been approved by the Formula One Commission. It has been approved by the [FIA's decision-making body the] World Council.”

Ecclestone says the source of the confusion is that he has put the plan up for discussion at the next Strategy Group meeting because he wants to extend it to apply to the last three races. The teams objected to this at the previous meeting so it was scaled back to just the finale. It didn't deter Ecclestone and he says “I have got it on the agenda for the next meeting. I want to start three races again.”

However, he adds “three races is more difficult. If everybody that has entered the championship agrees we could do it now. We need unanimous agreement with the teams that have entered the championship.”

This year's F1 season-ender is the twilight race in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 23. Doubling the number of points available there makes the often-processional race worth twice as much as classics like the Italian or Monaco grands prix.

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso would have replaced Vettel as champion in 2012 had double points been awarded in the last race. Likewise, it would also have led to Britain's Lewis Hamilton being demoted from the top spot with McLaren in 2008.

Hitting out at the critics, Ecclestone says the “problem is that I don't think they have bothered to think about why I want to do this.” He adds, “they think it's no good for me. It's like when Sebastian [Vettel] said 'I work hard all the year and then I get near to the end and somebody else wins that race, gets double points and I'm really screwed.' I said to him, 'it could be you that gets double points and it's somebody else who has worked hard all year.' I said, 'don't be too sure that you are going to have an easy year next year, either.' He might be very happy. There is nothing wrong with it for anybody. It is the same for everybody.”

FIA president Jean Todt and Ecclestone have called a meeting with the teams on Wednesday in Geneva and the double points rule will be on the agenda there. Ecclestone admits it is unlikely that the plan will be extended to three races but is happy with one. He says it means that “the press and television have got a story. The championship is not over. For whoever wins the last race it is like winning the last two races. They still have a chance.”

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