WHAT an innovative, if a little strange, idea it is for Formula One’s final race to be worth double the points.

There has been much debate about the change which is designed to add to the excitement for the last grand prix in Abu Dhabi at the end of November.

It could have mattered little if one driver had dominated from start to finish this season.

But as it stands, the sports’ governing bosses look to have achieved exactly what they set out to do and have a last-day shoot-out for the drivers’ championship.

Even if title favourite Lewis Hamilton wins in Brazil this weekend, he could still miss out on the crown if he suffers major engine trouble and fails to finish in Abu Dhabi and bitter rival, and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, tops the podium.

Exciting, certainly, but is it fair? Many would say not and I would agree. To work hard all season to be pipped at the post in that way would be gutting for Hamilton.

Of course, if things go to plan, and Hamilton maintains his form, it should prove irrelevant and the British race king has already stressed the importance of focussing on the job in hand and forgetting the extra points at stake.

It did get me thinking, however, how other sports might fare if they adopted the same policy.

Consider the Premier League and relegation and title issues that go down to the wire on the final day.

Imagine if double points were at stake – just think of the turnarounds that could be on the cards.

It would prove more pivotal than the second half of TV gameshow Family Fortunes when they play for double money.

Just think a team could go into the final round of fixtures six points from safety but with a better goal difference than those teams above them and survive. Imagine that!

At the other end, the title chase would certainly have added spice too.

What about cricket? You could give teams a chance to earn double runs in the second innings of the final match in a series or even throughout a five-match Test summer.

Or you could dangle the carrot for boxers that if they reach round 12, they will get double points.

Sport’s rules are very much adhered to in traditional ways, at least the core ones are. But changes can be good to enhance some and make them more exciting – particularly in an age when there is so much competition for spectator numbers both at venues and on television.

I’m always wary in veering too far from the usual path but if it works then why not give it a shot – so long as we can get double the pies and pints in the stands as well.