Formula 1 News: Series considers point system tweak (Update)

(GMM) Opinions are already divided, as Formula 1 stakeholders gear up for talks about expanding the current points system.

The F1 Commission will discuss a proposal, forwarded by the smaller teams but also reportedly supported by Red Bull, to expand the points-scoring places from P10 to P12.

Six teams must vote in favor of an eventual concrete proposal for it to debut in 2025.

“The competition is tough,” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told Bild newspaper. “Two groups have formed – the top 5 and then the teams from sixth to tenth places.

“Every single point is hard fought for. Of course, in the end, you’d have to ask yourself what it would really change, but I’m completely impartial. But of course, points mean money.

“So I do understand the concern.”

Interestingly, Red Bull-backed RB driver Yuki Tsunoda does not sound keen.

“When all the drivers score, you are not as motivated,” the Japanese is quoted by Sport1. “Now, if we are P9 or P10, it’s like a win for us.

“I’d be happy if we keep it that way.”

Williams’ Alex Albon agrees, according to motorsport-total.com: “I would not change the system.”

One of the biggest proponents of the change is Haas, a regular back-marking team over the past few seasons.

When asked about the proposed P1-P12 points system, team boss Ayao Komatsu said in Shanghai: “What’s the downside?

“As the proposal stands, it makes no difference to those who score big points,” he is quoted by Ekstra Bladet newspaper. “It only has consequences for, let’s say, the bottom five.

“If you look at recent years, it would perhaps change a single position around P8-P9 in the world championship. So it’s not a huge change.

“But for the fans, it would be good to see 11th and 12th places being rewarded. Right now there are three teams without any points at all.

“(Esteban) Ocon was P11 today,” he said last Sunday, “so he would have got two points and therefore fewer with a zero score. It’s more obvious for the fans – a reward.”

Haas driver Kevin Magnussen, meanwhile, would go even further than P1-P12.

“Maybe give points to everyone,” said the Dane. “50 points to P1 and then spread it out.

“It won’t change anything at the top, but would make the races more interesting for the bottom five.”

(GMM) Formula 1 is on the cusp of what would almost certainly be another highly controversial point system reform.

After 2002, at the height of Ferrari’s ultra-dominant Michael Schumacher era, F1 expanded the awarding of points for P1 through P6 all the way to P8 as well.

By 2010, the top 10 were all scoring points in each grand prix, with an additional point for the fastest race of the lap added in 2019 as the Liberty Media era got into gear.

But now, the small teams are reportedly complaining that even a single point for P10 is proving almost impossible, with Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg admitting his single point in Shanghai on Sunday is like a race win.

“If none of the top 5 teams have a problem, the top 10 are already booked,” said the German.

A new plan, to expand points all the way to twelfth place from 2025 and beyond, will now be discussed at a forthcoming meeting of the F1 Commission in Geneva.

Proposed Point System Change

2016 world champion Nico Rosberg is not an early supporter.

“Formula 1 is a performance game,” he is quoted by Speed Week. “The midfield teams simply have to stretch themselves to get into the top ten.”

Another Liberty Media-powered controversial change in recent years has been the new sprint race weekend format, which made its first appearance last weekend in China.

Regular critic Max Verstappen says the tweaks made for 2024 – improving the logical flow of the weekend and giving drivers more freedom to alter car setups – are an improvement.

But the Red Bull driver says he’s opposed to expanding the format from six race weekends a year to 12.

“I get it,” said the Dutchman, “I guess it sells better, better numbers on TV. But it’s also more stress on the mechanics and everything, to get everything tip-top every time.

“Let’s not think that now we need 12 of these because it will take its toll on people.”

Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, also admits the sprint weekend is still flawed, after he was harshly penalized for an incident in Saturday’s sprint in Shanghai.

“Maybe it’s better to save the tires and not do the sprint in future,” the Aston Martin driver quipped. “There’s only an hour or two at stake and sometimes they penalize you on your license, so perhaps it’s not worth going out at all.”