F1's point structure has been a hotly discussed topic since the 2021 Belgian GP because cars only completed two full laps, that too behind the Safety Car.
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The F1 Commission has voted in favour of a new points system in the event of a Formula 1 race not being able to go the full distance.
The subject has been a hotly discussed one since the 2021 Belgian GP. There, cars only completed two full laps and that too behind the Safety Car.
The heavy rain over the weekend made a proper race next to impossible. Thus, only half points were awarded to the drivers for the race.
But the race left a poor taste in the mouths of many fans. Therefore, the call was made to bring about a new points system for shortened races.
Should the leader have completed more than two laps but less than 25% of the scheduled race distance, the top-five finishers will be awarded points as follows:
1st – 6 points
2nd – 4 points
3rd – 3 points
4th – 2 points
5th – 1 point
If the leader has completed 25% but less than 50% of the scheduled race distance, points will be awarded to the top-nine as follows:
1st – 13 points
2nd – 10 points
3rd – 8 points
4th – 6 points
5th – 5 points
6th – 4 points
7th – 3 points
8th – 2 points
9th – 1 point
Should the leader complete 50% but less than 75% of the scheduled race distance, points will be awarded to the top-10 as follows:
1st – 19 points
2nd – 14 points
3rd – 12 points
4th – 9 points
5th – 8 points
6th – 6 points
7th – 5 points
8th – 3 points
9th – 2 points
10th – 1 point
Any percentage of race distance completed above that threshold will see full points awarded to the top 10.
However, it’s worth noting that isn’t the only change being made to the sport this year. There’s also the small matter of the brand new regulations coming into effect this year.
The new regulations seek to improve racing and also eliminate the problems with ‘dirty air’. What’s more, a budget cap is being put even more firmly in place by the sport’s rights holders.
Therefore, there is plenty of excitement among fans ahead of the new season. Not only is the racing potentially set to get closer, the cars will also have different looks.
So far, a total of five teams – Haas, Red Bull, McLaren, Aston Martin and AlphaTauri – have launched their new cars. The remaining teams will do so by the end of this week.
Five down, five to go ?
Which has been your favourite so far?#F1 pic.twitter.com/wtVNhfcMHq
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 14, 2022
The 2022 Formula 1 season will begin from March 18 onwards with the Bahrain GP.
