Outcomes of Premier League, Six Nations and Tour de France would have been affected
Thursday 20 November 2014 11:57, UK
For the first, and possibly only, time, the Formula One title race will be decided by a double-points finale in Abu Dhabi this Sunday.
The innovative idea, which will see all points acquired in the final race of the season multiplied, means that if Nico Rosberg wins the race, Lewis Hamilton will have to finish second to secure the title, whereas in previous years sixth would have been enough for the Brit.
It is an idea that has been met with a mixed reaction, with even F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone expressing criticism.
But while it's clearly not everyone's cup of tea in F1, might it be a success in other sports?
We’ve taken a look back at some of the tightest sporting finishes in recent memory to see how the outcome might have been affected if double points were awarded in the finale.
How different might life be for Arsenal these days if double points had been awarded on the final day of the 1997-98 Premier League season?
In Arsene Wenger’s first full season in charge, the Gunners enjoyed a fantastic finish to the campaign as they overturned Manchester United’s 12-point lead to take the title. But, perhaps with one eye on the FA Cup final, they only ended up finishing a point ahead of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side after losing 1-0 at Aston Villa in their last game.
Had United received double points from their 2-0 win at Barnsley, they would have snatched the title, denying Arsenal the double and also a first league trophy since 1991.
While double points on the final hole could be an interesting addition to the PGA or European Tours, it would perhaps be best suited to the singles matches on the last day of the Ryder Cup.
The good news for Europe is that they would still have won this year’s edition comfortably as well as Medinah in 2012, but in 2010 they would have been pipped at the line by the USA’s strong showing in the singles.
With Europe leading 9½ -6½ after a rain-affected weekend, the singles were pushed back to Monday for the first time in the tournament’s history. And, after points were shared in the opening seven matches, the USA won three of the last five to finish only a point behind Europe in the final standings.
However, if double points had been on offer for the singles, then it would have been USA who would have nicked victory 18½-17½ to win back-to-back Ryder Cups for the first time in 15 years.
With so many World Cup qualification groups around the globe, the idea of double points from the final game could have had a huge impact on who progresses to the finals.
Had the rule been in place for Brazil 2014 qualifying, for example, then the tournament would have had a debutant in the shape of Uzbekistan, who would have overhauled South Korea to qualify automatically from the Asian Football Confederation.
Meanwhile, in Europe, Serbia would have pipped Croatia to a play-off spot by virtue of their win over Macedonia and Croatia’s defeat to Scotland, and Austria would also have secured a play-off spot ahead of Sweden, after their victory over the Faroe Islands on the final day.
After being docked points for dangerous sprinting on Stage 14, Mark Cavendish’s hopes of winning the green jersey at the 2009 Tour de France looked to be over.
The Manx Missile continued to battle for wins, though, and triumphed in two of the final three stages - including the prestigious run in to Paris - to finish just 10 points behind rival and eventual winner Thor Hushovd. But his efforts on the Champs Elysees would have counted for much more if there had been double points awarded for the final sprint finish.
With Cav taking an extra 45 points for winning the stage, he would have pipped Hushovd, who finished sixth, by 15 points and won his first green jersey. As it was, he had to wait until 2011 to win the points classification for the first time at the Tour.
There have been plenty of tight finishes in the Six Nations in recent years, but there could have been another dramatic ending in 2001 if double points had been awarded for the final game between England and Ireland.
The tournament had already had its fair share of drama as Ireland’s three fixtures against the home nations had to be delayed until autumn due to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
After losing to Scotland and beating Wales, Ireland’s title hopes were all but gone heading into the match at Landsdowne Road, due to England’s huge points differential. But, had they got double points, their 20-14 victory over Clive Woodward’s side would have been enough for them to snatch the Six Nations from England’s grasp.
With an array of points on offer in every County Championship game for batting, bowling and the final result, cricket is not the easiest sport to adapt double points to. However, in 2010, when Nottinghamshire and Somerset finished level on 214 points at the top of Division One, it would have made for an even more dramatic final few days.
With double points on offer all round, there would have been even more incentive for teams to go all out for that extra wicket or push harder to take the score past another marker. Unfortunately for Notts, it probably would have meant they didn’t win the title as their game against Lancashire was badly affected by rain. Notts made 400/9d in their first innings but were only able to reduce Lancs to 11/3 before the game ended.
Somerset, meanwhile, passed 400 in their first innings against Durham and also bowled their opponents out for 286, meaning they would have got the few extra bowling points they needed to secure the title.
NB. All these situations are of course hypothetical and, if teams had known about double points, perhaps they would not have rested players on the final day or changed tactics etc. If you have any other situations where double points might have worked or added even more drama to the final day of a season, post your suggestions in the skysports.com message boards.
Watch the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this week on Sky Sports F1.
