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F1 scraps double points for final grand prix; South Korea added to 2015 calendar

Associated Press
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Britain's F1 Mercedes driver and world champion Lewis Hamilton, right, and Germany's F1 driver Nico Rosberg stand together at the Mercedes "Stars&Cars" event in Stuttgart, Germany, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (The Associated Press)

Britain's F1 Mercedes driver and world champion Lewis Hamilton gives a thumbs up at the Mercedes "Stars&Cars" event in Stuttgart, Germany, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (The Associated Press)

Formula One is scrapping its rule to award double points to the winner of the final race of the season.

The decision was ratified Wednesday at a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, when South Korea was provisionally added to a 21-race calendar for the 2015 season. It is scheduled to stage a grand prix on May 3, subject to approval.

F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone introduced double points for the season-ending race to attract big television audiences through to the final grand prix and prolong the suspense in the drivers' championship.

However, it was widely criticized by drivers.

F1 champion Lewis Hamilton could have lost the championship because of the double-points rule if Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg had won at the season-ending Abu Dhab GP last month.