Press: F1 is discussing the introduction of a new points system

Behind Red Bull, the Formula 1 field is becoming more and more dense, but a serious break can still be observed. Last year’s outstanding five teams, Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Aston Martin, are in a different league than the other five rivals. All this is unpleasant for the House of Commons because, by default, the scoring places are allocated in advance.

We have heard from the smaller teams several times this year: in 2024, one or two points will decide their constructors’ ranking, because in most cases, realistically, a 9-10. place is the maximum available for them, the other points-scoring places are almost guaranteed to be shared by the top five.

“It’s the worst feeling there is. I honestly hate that when you have a good weekend, you’re not able to get into the points zone and you don’t get any reward for it at the end” Esteban Ocon said about the problem back in March.

Photo: XPB

F1 is seriously dealing with the issue: the F1 committee, which includes the leaders of the series and the teams, will also discuss the possibility of introducing a new points system after the Chinese Grand Prix. The Autosport according to his information, the draft is already ready, and it could even be implemented next year if they agree.

The new system would reward the first 12 places with points instead of 10. The higher positions would not be affected by the change, nothing would change in the distribution of points up to the 7th position, 25 points would still be awarded for the victory, 18 for the second place, and 15 for the third place. The 8th place, on the other hand, would receive 5 points instead of 4, and the score would decrease by one point until 12th place.

This is how the F1 points system can be transformed:

The current point system:		The new draft:
1st place – 25 points		1st place – 25 points
2nd place – 18 points		2nd place – 18 points
3rd place – 15 points		3rd place – 15 points
4th place – 12 points		4th place – 12 points
5th place – 10 points		5th place – 10 points
6th place – 8 points		6th place – 8 points
7th place – 6 points		7th place – 6 points
8th place – 4 points		8th place – 5 points
9th place – 2 points		9th place – 4 points
10th place – 1 point		10th place – 3 points
		11th place – 2 points
		12th place – 1 point

The Autosport as you know, the proposal to modify the points system originates from the smaller teams, who would consider it important to have more chances to receive a “reward” for their good competitions. According to their argument, the expansion of the points zone would also reward the more balanced performers, since while now one outstanding result may be enough for salvation in the constructors’ championship, the small ones could be stable scorers in the new system.

By keeping the points for the first 7 places unchanged, they are trying to alleviate the reluctance of the larger groups who have shown resistance to the innovation.

What is the chance of reform is questionable for the time being. The Autosport according to this, only 6 barns out of 10 would be supported in order to introduce the system in 2025.

Would it make sense now – and later?

In March, the competitors had mixed opinions about the modification of the points system. Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas pointed out that it would be good to change at the moment, but it is not certain that it would be the case in the long term.

“In this situation, it would be more optimal to move the scoring places. But who knows what the future holds? Maybe with the new 2026 rules there will be a lot more confusion and then the top ten will be enough. Now, however, the order with the top five teams seems clear.”

Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo drew attention to the fact that there is always hope for scoring points, even in the lower house. “Every weekend, the course may be better than the last. It’s also very track-dependent. Last year in Mexico, for example, we were last in the constructors’ championship, and then I qualified in fourth place. No one would have expected this before the weekend. You can have such strong weekends and your car can perform better at that track. That’s what you hope for before the weekends, at least I do. And I’m excited, I know maybe I won’t win this weekend, but maybe we can finish in the top ten and get some points.” said the Australian.

The F1 points system was last changed in 2010, since then points are awarded to the first 10 places. Before that, 8 places received points, the 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 system was introduced in 2003, before that only the first 6 points received since 1991, the 10-6-4-3 – According to a 2-1 distribution.