F1 is evaluating whether changes should be made to the points system, with an increase to the points-scorers under consideration. Under the current regulations, only the top 10 drivers are awarded points. An additional point is awarded for the fastest lap, provided it is set by a point-scorer. However, the hyper-competitive nature of this year’s midfield is creating conversations about whether revisions should be made.
Ahead of 2026, significant changes are being made to Formula 1. From a technical perspective, the new era of cars and engines is still being defined. A series of objectives have already been identified, largely to promote racing and wheel-to-wheel battles. Among these main targets is a reduction in the size of the cars, which makes overtaking increasingly difficult – especially at street circuits. That said, there are still plenty of areas to refine in these regulations.
Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR24.
20.04.2024. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 5, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint and Qualifying Day.
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POTENTIAL NEW POINTS STRUCTURE
On the topic of improving the on-track action, increasing the points available is another topic on the agenda. Teams will meet with F1 to discuss the possibility of changing the points available to the following:
P1 – 25 points | P2 – 18 points | P3 – 15 points | P4 – 12 points | P5 – 10 points | P6 – 8 points | p7 – 6 points | P8 – 5 points | P9 – 4 points | P10 – 3 points | P11 – 2 points | P12 – 1 points
This alternate structure leaves the front-running positions largely unchanged, with a heavy emphasis on the lower positions. If approved, this changes could be implemented as early as the 2025 season – as reported by motorsport.com. Such a change would make the points of midfield teams more representative, with impressive drivers in backmarkers often unrewarded in terms of points.
By offering points to the top-12, battles that would otherwise by somewhat redundant become more important. Still, there is an opposite argument. Some might suggest this expansion would take away the specialness of scoring points.
If Andretti fail to join the grid, this alteration would mean that 60% of the field brings something home. This, of course, is without considering retirements. In any case, this idea will be debated by the teams in due course.
