Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has labelled the idea to award double points at the final race of the 2014 Formula One season as "absurd".
Vettel, who won the 2013 title for Red Bull after winning the final nine races of the season, also claims "drivers, fans and experts are horrified" at the proposal, which was announced on Monday following a meeting of the F1 Strategy Group and the Formula One Commission in Paris.
Teams and drivers had been conspicuously quiet on social media outlets since the news was announced, but Vettel became the first to break ranks on Tuesday in an interview with Sport Bild.
Vettel says he is "horrified" at the idea of a double points plan
"This is absurd and punishes those who have worked hard for a whole season," the 26-year-old German said. "I value the old traditions in Formula One and do not understand this new rule."
Under the new proposals, the winning driver at next year's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix would earn 50 points instead of the usual 25, a move designed to reduce the chances of the title being decided before the final race.
Sebastian Vettel wins Canadian Grand Prix
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Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (C) jumps on the podium after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal on June 9, 2013. Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain (L) finished second and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain (R) finished third. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany listens to his national anthem on the podium after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal on June 9, 2013. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Winner Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (C), second place finisher Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain (L) and third place finisher Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain (R) on the podium after the end of the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal on June 9, 2013. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(04 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates with two Canadian Mounties after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(05 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates with team mates after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (R) sprays champagne on the podium after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal June 9, 2013. Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain (L) finished second. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(07 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(08 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing greets a fan in the pitlane after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(09 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing greets a fan in the pitlane after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(10 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing greets a fan in the pitlane after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(11 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing greets a fan in the pitlane after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (C) gets sprayed with champagne by Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain on the podium after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal on June 9, 2013. Hamilton finished third and Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain (L) finished second. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(13 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates with two Canadian Mounties after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (C) celebrates with team members after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal on June 9, 2013. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(15 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel (right) of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates with second placed Fernando Alonso (left) of Spain and Ferrari following the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(16 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(17 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel (right) of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates with second placed Fernando Alonso (left) of Spain and Ferrari following the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(18 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Ker Robertson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(19 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates with two Canadian Mounties after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(20 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates with two Canadian Mounties after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany stands on his car after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal on June 9, 2013. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(22 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel (right) of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates with second placed Fernando Alonso (left) of Spain and Ferrari following the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(23 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(24 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany pushes hard on the brakes at the hairpin corner at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal on June 9, 2013 during the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix. AFP PHOTO / ROGERIO BARBOSA (Photo credit should read ROGERIO BARBOSA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(26 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel (2nd right) of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates with his race engineer Guillaume Rocquelin (2nd left), second placed Fernando Alonso (left) of Spain and Ferrari and third placed Lewis Hamilton (right) of Great Britain and Mercedes GP following the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(27 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing drives during the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(28 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing drives on his way to winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(29 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (C) celebrates his win in the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal June 9, 2013. Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain (L) finished second and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain (R) finished third. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany drives in the pits after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal on June 9, 2013. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(32 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing drives during the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(33 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Canadian F1 Grand Prix - Race(34 of34)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 09: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing drives during the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
"Imagine, in the last Bundesliga match [of the season] there was suddenly double points," Vettel added, drawing comparisons with football. "Drivers, fans and experts are horrified."
Should the double-points plan ultimately see the light of day, it is worth considering that a number of recent championship battles would have been altered under such rules. Fernando Alonso would have beaten Vettel to the 2012 title while Felipe Massa would have been champion ahead of Lewis Hamilton in 2008.
The double-points bombshell was one of several rule changes announced on Monday, which also included a plan to introduce a budget cap from 2015 and a new initiative for drivers to choose their own racing number - from two to 99 - which they would keep for the duration of their time in F1.