Rule change?
Formula 1 discussed: points for the top 12 instead of the top 10?
Formula 1 is discussing a new points system. photo
© Hiro Komae/AP/dpa
Theoretically, it doesn’t matter whether you’re last out of 20 drivers or eleventh. In Formula 1 there is only something countable for the top ten of a Grand Prix. And that is exactly what should now be put to the test.
The Formula 1 Commission will now discuss this as a first step. 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.
Ferrari team boss can understand the zero frustration
According to the specialist portal “motorsport.com”, which first reported on the possible change, the racing teams in the lower ranks in particular are 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.
“I’m not against it,” said Frédéric Vasseur, who, as the current Ferrari and former Alfa Romeo team boss, knows both camps in the classification. Whether coming 20th or eleventh in the race makes no difference at the moment. “I can understand the frustration about that.” 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.