The implications of F1’s vote on a brand new factors construction

The FIA, F1 and the ten groups are set to vote on a tweak to the present factors system that has been in place since 2010 for grands prix. The highest seven positions stay unchanged, however from eighth place down there will probably be a extra gradual sliding scale that awards factors all the way in which right down to twelfth, with only one level separating all these positions.

The present rule on the quickest lap level, which solely factors finishers are eligible for, is anticipated to remain in place, and would additionally prolong right down to twelfth place.

F1’s proposed 2025 factors system

Why is there a brand new push to alter F1’s factors system?

The underside 5 outfits are combating for scraps and should financial institution on any of the frontrunners hitting hassle or having an off-kilter efficiency, which has turn out to be extra unlikely in recent times as a result of near-bulletproof reliability that emblems modern-day F1.

What would the factors system have modified since 2010?

Making use of the possible 2025 system to this season, extending the factors right down to twelfth would have allowed each workforce to get off the board. There are not any place modifications on the prime of the drivers’ or constructors’ standings – extra on that later – however Williams would have taken 5 factors thus far, with two apiece for Alpine and Sauber.

2024 drivers’ standings (present classification vs proposed system)

2024 constructors’ standings (present classification vs proposed system)

Shifting down the seasons, Ferrari would have crushed Mercedes to second in 2023. The 2 giants would have completed on equal factors, with Carlos Sainz’s win in Singapore swaying the duel in direction of the Scuderia.

Sebastian Vettel, Pink Bull Racing RB6 leads Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F10 and Mark Webber, Pink Bull Racing RB6

Photograph by: Sutton Pictures

What do the groups and drivers suppose?

It seems the transfer was instigated by a number of the smaller groups, with RB workforce boss Laurent Mekies explaining why it will be a great transfer for his squad.

“Even the underside 5 groups are giant organisations now and it’s extremely troublesome to elucidate to the skin world, to our companions, and to our followers, that we battle for a P11 that truly grants zero factors,” he informed Autosport.

“Should you have a look at the extent of competitiveness of the highest 5 groups and the reliability stage of the automobiles, it signifies that a lot of the race you are battling theoretically for zero factors, and we do not suppose that is proper.

“We additionally suppose it is extra meritocratic as a result of, in case you rating factors up till P12, you’ll keep away from the impact the place if one thing utterly beautiful occurs and any individual scores a P5 or P4 within the rain, it means the opposite guys can keep residence for 10 races.

“It is ticking all of the packing containers with nearly no draw back, so hopefully it can undergo.”

Haas driver Kevin Magnussen urged F1 might go even additional and reward each place like IndyCar and NASCAR do.

“Perhaps factors for everybody can be higher so that you simply at all times have one thing to struggle for,” he mentioned. “While you’re combating for P16 or 14 or one thing like that, it would be good if there was nonetheless one thing to struggle for. It feels pointless 1714037704.”

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Staff VCARB 01 battles with Kevin Magnussen, Haas VF-24

Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

On the other aspect of the grid, Pink Bull workforce boss Christian Horner mentioned he was “neutral” on the difficulty, and having skilled the opposite finish of the spectrum at Alfa Romeo, Ferrari chief Fred Vasseur empathised with the smaller groups’ plight.

“I am not towards [it]. And coming from Alfa Romeo, I completely perceive typically the frustration that you’re doing a mega weekend, but when there is no such thing as a DNF in entrance of you then you definately end P11 and the reward is zero,” mentioned the Frenchman.

The truth that the highest groups aren’t affected has given the factors tweak a doable runway to achieve a majority and be authorised by the F1 Fee. The FIA can be set to achieve from it as groups pay the governing physique licence charges based mostly on the variety of factors earned the earlier season, so eight additional factors per weekend means the FIA can be in line for a income improve of over $1m.

And even when some main workforce bosses have been to be towards it in precept, no matter their motives, granting two extra factors positions is probably unlikely to be a hill price dying on – antagonising the smaller outfits within the course of – forward of future Concorde Settlement talks.

Are there any arguments towards?

Why would folks be towards such an innocuous change in precept, although? If something, two extra factors rewards would supply F1 followers an additional battle that’s price following. Are there any tangible downsides?

To begin with, the factors tweak is a really situational repair, trying to use a everlasting resolution to a short lived drawback. The 50/50 break up of the grid isn’t more likely to stay in place for lengthy, with the 2026 guidelines revamp anticipating to blow the sphere aside once more.

As well as, the argument that scoring extra factors makes groups extra enticing to sponsors seems tenuous, as in relative phrases nothing truly modifications and the worst groups will nonetheless end under the higher ones within the constructors’ standings. Is there a tangible distinction between ending final with 5 factors or with 15?

A extra philosophical argument, although, which is certain to divide opinion, is whether or not or not frequently increasing the factors positions over time is detracting from the essence of F1.

Paul Stoddart and Mark Webber have fun in entrance of their residence crowd

Photograph by: Motorsport Images

Even at present, scoring some extent is a trigger for celebration for struggling groups and drivers, a simply reward for a spotless weekend nicely executed. The extra F1 rewards finishes exterior the highest 10, the extra scoring factors begins shedding which means, and any sense of feat will get watered down.