Why (not) have a new points system – F1sport.cz

Formula 1 is considering changing the points system from next year. Nothing would change for the first seven positions. The change would take place from the eighth place and 12 riders would score points.

The points system has changed throughout the history of Formula 1, but again not that much. It can even be said that it is the most stable element in the otherwise quite dynamic environment of F1.

If we look at the modern era, between 1991 and 2002 the first six drivers scored points. The winner took ten points. In 1991, we had 30 cars in F1, but not all of them qualified. Nevertheless, the number of cars at the start was greater than today.

Between 2003 and 2009, the number of drivers who scored points was expanded to 8. In 2003, we had 20 cars at the start. It was the same at the end of this era.

Since 2010, the first ten drivers have scored points. From 2019, a point for the fastest lap of the race was added to this. The year 2010 was also marked by the entry of three new teams (in the end, all three gradually ended). So we had 24 cars at the start.

Why change the system

This season we have two groups of five. It’s hard for a team from the second five to score points if someone from the first one doesn’t have problems. It was similar in the past, but the reliability was significantly lower. In other words – if we were to transfer the current F1 back 30, 40 years, the second five would have a better chance.

If we look at the total number of starts (number of cars x number of races) and the number of unfinished races, it was around 50% at the beginning of the 90s. Today it is around 12 to 14% in the season.

The points decide the ranking in the championships. In the case of the Constructors’ Cup, it is also a lot of money.

If several drivers/teams have the same number of points (and of course including zero points), the ranking is decided by the better number of better places.

After China, three teams have 0 points. Williams is in the lead. No one has points, so we don’t decide positions up to tenth place. We have to look at the 11th places. Albon (Williams) was eleventh twice. Ocon (Alpine) was eleventh once and Chou (Sauber) was eleventh once. So Williams is first, the other two teams are undecided. We have to look at the twelfth places. No one finished twelfth, so they finished thirteenth. Gasly was thirteenth twice, Ocon once. The Sauber drivers did not finish thirteenth, so Alpine is higher.

It’s a more complicated system, we have to look for results outside of the scoreboard. It’s also not very fair. Imagine a team that has a bad car. He finishes last, sometimes he beats someone. But then comes a chaotic race, this team scores points and then finishes higher overall than their rivals – because of one race.

The more riders score, the fairer the ranking will be. But it is questionable whether the expansion of the scoring positions by two places will bring a fundamental difference. If it wouldn’t be more appropriate for 15 riders or even all of them to score points. This is how IndyCar is, for example.

The battle for 12th place could be “more interesting” as it will be a battle for points.

If the starting grid is expanded (Andretti is trying to enter), it would be even more difficult to score points according to the current format.

Why not change the system

Formula 1 has always been based on the fact that scoring points is something special, something you have to earn. The expansion of the scoring positions by two places will not have a big impact, but it will have some – and let’s remember that in the past only the first six drivers scored points. Now it would be double.

Another downside is that there will be a change that will be small, but it’s still another rule change, another change to something that people are used to. It will also affect the stats (but those were also affected by the previous changes).

Today, whoever advances to the third part of the qualification starts from the “scored” positions. That would change now.

The current points system has become standard within the FIA. We see the same system in F3 and F2 (main races), F1 Acacema, Formula E and even the WEC where it is used in six-hour races. That would probably change now – that is, unless the other series also change the scoring, but that is not being talked about yet.

Other consequences

Points are also important for the fees that teams and drivers pay to the FIA. The fee always has two parts – the basic one is the same for everyone. The second part depends on the number of points obtained. If there was an expansion of points positions but the fee would not decrease (on the contrary, it increases due to inflation), so drivers from smaller teams and smaller darks would pay a little more.

But in the case of riders, it won’t be a big difference. The fee per point can be expected in 2026 in the amount of approx. 2,400 euros. In the case of teams, it could be around 6,500 euros.