Following a push by F1’s midfield groups to increase the present factors construction to cowl the highest 12, the topic was put on the agenda for Thursday’s F1 Commission assembly attended by the FIA, F1 and all 10 groups.
For the change to undergo, it wanted assist from 5 of the present groups.
A number of outfits had been in favour of the change when quizzed finally weekend’s Chinese language Grand Prix, whereas Crimson Bull’s Christian Horner and Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur additionally appeared to assist the movement or no less than be neutral to it, because the proposal would not have an effect on the highest groups.
Nevertheless it has now emerged that on the F1 Fee assembly it was agreed that extra time was wanted to analyse the implications of the change.
With nonetheless loads of time on the clock to make a ultimate resolution and undertake the brand new system within the FIA’s 2025 F1 sporting laws, it was agreed that there is no such thing as a rush to make a fast name.
As a substitute, the matter will probably be investigated totally and be put again on the agenda for the following F1 Fee assembly later this yr.
Perception: The implications of F1’s vote on a new points structure
The concept to develop the factors system was put again on the agenda on account of F1’s aggressive pecking order in 2024, which has seen a chasm between the highest and backside 5 outfits.
Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24
Picture by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Barring incidents or uncommon reliability points, the highest 5 groups Crimson Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Aston Martin are set to swoop up many of the factors on supply this yr.
Which means the remainder of the grid is combating over scraps and midfield groups aren’t rewarded for beating their direct rivals except they handle to succeed in the highest 10.
The proposal, which might preserve the factors allocation for the highest seven positions as it’s now, however have a extra gradual sliding scale to a single level for twelfth place, would give the likes of Haas, RB, Sauber, Williams and Alpine extra to combat for.
After 5 rounds within the 2024 season, the latter three groups have but to attain some extent.
Alpine driver Esteban Ocon stated the change would be “a plaster on a big cut”, because it helps midfield groups rating factors however does nothing to handle the disparity between the 2 halves of the grid.
“It is placing a plaster on an enormous minimize, let’s name it like this,” stated Ocon. “It is a method of serving to the present scenario.
“It will positively work as a result of we might have been scoring factors [in China], however I would like to have the ability to race on the entrance and have each group nearer.”
In an announcement the FIA has since confirmed that the factors tweak will probably be revisited at once more on the subsequent assembly.
“Fee members mentioned a proposal for adjustments to the distribution of championship factors, as described in Articles 6.4 and 6.5 of the sporting laws,” the FIA communicated.
“It was agreed that additional evaluation of proposed adjustments was required with a view to a proposal to be offered to the F1 Fee assembly in July.”
It additionally stated the fee agreed to introduce rear-facing cameras from June’s Spanish Grand Prix, and that F1 is at present engaged on a venue and date for 2025’s pre-season testing to be offered on the subsequent assembly.