Formula 1 points system: the real reasons for an out-of-date change

A few days ago, the F1 Commission convened, after the fifth round of the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship, the Chinese Grand Prix. On the agenda there was the proposal for modification of the current rules and regulations governing the points allocation during Formula 1 race weekends. Over the past few decades, the system has been amended several times, expanding the positions eligible for earning valuable points and increasing the quantity in a system quite similar to what can be seen in MotoGP. Once upon a time, achieving a points finish was truly a remarkable feat, as points were only awarded to the top six finishers, with no additional point for setting the fastest lap of the race.

We are talking about an era where even crossing the finish line was a real accomplishment. The number of teams competing in the championship was higher, and the gap between the top teams and the rest of the competitors was undoubtedly enormous. Modern Formula 1 is practically a closed competition. Any expression of interest from new parties is seen as a threat to the current teams taking part in the series. An unwanted danger that risks undermining the economic balance achieved by the current ten teams in terms of distribution of the substantial revenues guaranteed by the Formula One Management. The reliability of the cars has reached levels similar to the ones encountered in the endurance categories, up to the point where technical failures have become very rare even for the teams at the back of the grid.

In addition to this, despite the performance level being quite varied among the grid, it is rare for a single-seater to be lapped one or more times by the race leader at the end of the Grand Prix. In this context, awarding points to a greater number of cars and therefore drivers that finish the race is practically an anachronistic exercise. It has been proposed, in fact, to award points up to the twelfth position, considering the twenty cars entered in the championship. If all Formula 1 cars were to finish the race, 60% of them would score points, in practice.

The changes to the points system are close to being approved. Half of the grid making up the 2024 Formula 1 championship has only gathered 12 points in five Grand Prix races and one sprint race out of the 546 points available so far. To endorse the new points system for the upcoming season, 5 out of the 10 participating teams must be in favor of the new regulations. At least half, therefore. Currently, several teams have already expressed their approval of the new system. In addition to the smaller teams, both Scuderia Ferrari and Red Bull, in the latter case in order to safeguard the interests of the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, seem inclined towards this possibility.

Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection! Click here to enter the F1 online Store and shop securely! And also get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!

The real motivation behind the proposal for a new scoring criterion in Formula 1 is the gap between the top 5 teams leading the championship and those that usually compete for lower positions. Expanding the points zone up to the 12th position would increase the chances of seeing more cars battling in the midfield, making weekends more spectacular, which has always been a top priority for owners Liberty Media, especially now that the general interest in the series has been constantly declining. This measure would allow these teams to push their drivers even harder to fight in the midfield zone. In the ongoing Racing campaign, after five rounds only four teams have not scored points. These are Alpine, Stake F1 Team, Kick Sauber and Williams.

However, following the F1 commission meeting, the much-desired “consensus” has not yet been reached for now. As reported on the official FIA website, members of the special commission discussed a proposal to modify the points distribution in the championship, as described in articles 6.4 and 6.5 of the sporting regulations. It was agreed, at least for the time being, that further analysis of the suggested changes was still necessary to endorse the proposal, with a view to presenting a new proposal at the F1 Commission meeting scheduled for next July.