Rule revolution for the top twelve?
Formula 1 wants to eliminate the frustration of points
April 25, 2024, 6:39 a.m
In Formula 1, at least theoretically, it doesn’t matter whether a driver finishes eleventh or last. Points are only awarded for the top ten in the race. This frustrates the smaller teams – now we need to remedy the situation.
According to media reports, Formula 1 could get a new points system as early as next year. Not only would the top ten get points, but also the drivers in eleventh and twelfth place. The Formula 1 Commission is scheduled to discuss this in a first step this Thursday. The committee includes representatives from the ten racing teams, the rights holder Formula One Management and the International Automobile Federation, which is responsible for the regulations.
Currently, a Grand Prix winner gets 25 points, the second 18, the third 15. It continues with 12, 10, 8, 6, 4 and 2 points as well as one for the tenth place. According to the new proposal, it stays the same up to seventh place, after which 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 points should be awarded. There will be no change to the additional counter for the fastest race lap, which has existed since 2019, nor to the distribution of points for the sprint races, which in turn have been part of the premier motorsport program on selected weekends since 2021.
According to motorsport.com, the racing teams in the lower ranks are particularly interested in a wider distribution of points. The title fight would not be affected by a new distribution key. After five Grand Prix and before the race in Miami in a week and a half, three teams are currently still without a point in the constructors’ championship, which is decisive for the distribution of prize money. Seven of the drivers still have no points.
For small teams, it’s usually a fight for zero points
“I’m not against it. And coming from Alfa Romeo, I understand the frustration that sometimes arises when you have a mega weekend, but if you don’t have a DNF in front of you, then you end up in P11 and the reward is the same zero,” explained Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur: “You can finish the race in P11 or P20 and it doesn’t make a difference at the moment, so I can understand the frustration.” Having three teams without points is not good for the sport, agreed team boss Ayao Komatsu from the American Haas racing team, even if his racing team is not part of the trio.
The current problem is also that with world champion Red Bull, the other teams Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren and Aston Martin, each with two drivers, a large part of the top ten ranks have already been largely taken. “That means that in most races you’re theoretically fighting for zero points. And we think that’s not right,” said team boss Laurent Mekies from Red Bull’s sister racing team Visa RB.