The 2014 Formula One season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in the sport’s recent history. While artificial changes like double points in the final round have drawn the ire of fans and some drivers, the new engine and chassis regulations are also sure to have a major effect. Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel says that he hopes all of the changes keep the racing close.

"Next year with a lot of things changing it is difficult to predict how it impacts on the racing. I just hope it doesn't split the cars too much, because what we had the last couple of years was a very tight battle between a lot of teams,” said Vettel.

While Vettel has been world champion four consecutive times, the 2010 and 2012 victories came in the final race of the season.

Formula 1 has always gone through periods of domination where one driver is consistently world champion and then periods where the racing is more open.

"We have had very close championships, then we had championships which were not that close. But that is the way F1 has been in the past and it will probably continue like that in the future,” he said.

Source: Autosport