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Championship will be over before last race - Ecclestone

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When it comes to the loud criticisms of F1's new 'double points' innovation, Bernie Ecclestone simply points to Mercedes. The F1 chief executive said he proposed the extra points for the Abu Dhabi season finale to add spice to the tail-end of a championship fight.

But even though he dreamed it up to prevent the sort of early title conclusion seen last year with Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull, Ecclestone admits double points will not be enough to stop a Mercedes triumph in 2014. "It (double points) won't be necessary this year because the championship will be over much earlier than that," the 83-year-old told British broadcaster Sky. When told he is obviously referring to a Mercedes driver, Ecclestone agreed: "Exactly."
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Notwithstanding Mercedes' dominance, the Lewis Hamilton versus Nico Rosberg duel for victory in Bahrain was celebrated as a thrilling triumph for F1. "Mercedes celebrated in Bahrain after a great show that did not feature Ferrari," Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport said. The authoritative daily said the duel was "reminiscent of Senna and Prost at McLaren, or Mansell and Piquet at Williams, showing that a fight within a team can make us hold our breath so long as there aren't team orders."

Corriere dello Sport, a major Roman daily, said Bahrain was further evidence that Ferrari is in "clear decline, not even knowing where to begin to change its situation". Il Messaggero newspaper added: "The 'new' F1 works, and is even thrilling."Mercedes' Toto Wolff, however, warned that it is "inevitable" that eventually the in-house scrap between Hamilton and Rosberg will turn sour, and so "internal discussions" about team orders cannot be ruled out.

Dr Helmut Marko told Servus TV on Monday that he hoped it had gone sour in Bahrain. "For many laps we were hoping that something (between Hamilton and Rosberg) happened," he said. But team chairman Niki Lauda insisted: "We are of the opinion that the drivers can race at the highest level, and it will stay that way," he is quoted by Sport1.

Fernando Alonso admitted he is worried Ferrari is being left behind altogether. "The championship is going away," the German news agency DPA quotes him as saying. "Hamilton and Rosberg are driving flawlessly and taking advantage of their position. What we have to do is work harder," the Spaniard added. "During the tests, we will work night and day." Indeed, Alonso will drive on both days of the post-race Bahrain test this week. (GMM)
F1 News Fernando Alonso Lewis Hamilton Nico Rosberg Sebastian Vettel McLaren Ferrari Mercedes Williams

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World Championship standings 2026

Pos
Team
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1
Mercedes
425
2
Ferrari
338
3
McLaren
263
4
Red Bull Racing
186
5
Alpine F1
66
6
Racing Bulls
63
7
Haas F1
21
8
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16
9
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10
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3
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Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
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Spain
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Bahrain
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Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
China
Shanghai International Circuit
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
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Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
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United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
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Hungary
Hungaroring
21 - Aug 23
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
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Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
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Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
China Shanghai International Circuit
27 - Mar 29
Japan Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria Red Bull Ring
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary Hungaroring
21 - Aug 23
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
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Driver profile

ES Fernando Alonso 14
  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 631
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 204
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (45)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
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