Formula 1 Racing

The implications of F1’s vote on a new points structure

Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Valtteri Bottas, Kick Sauber C44, Kevin Magnussen, Haas VF-24, the remainder of the field on the opening lap of the Sprint

As exclusively revealed by Motorsport.com / Autosport over the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, Thursday’s virtual F1 Commission meeting will have a new points structure from 2025 onwards as one of its agenda points.

The FIA, F1 and the 10 teams are set to vote on a tweak to the existing points system that has been in place since 2010. The top seven positions remain unchanged, but from eighth place down there will be a more gradual sliding scale that awards points all the way down to 12th, with just one point separating all those positions.

The existing rule on the fastest lap point, which only points finishers are eligible for, is expected to stay in place, and would also extend down to 12th position.

F1’s proposed 2025 points system

Finishing position

Current points

Proposed points

1

25

25

2

18

18

3

15

15

4

12

12

5

10

10

6

8

8

7

6

6

8

4

5

9

2

4

10

1

3

11

0

2

12

0

1

Fastest lap

1  (top 10 finishers only)

1  (top 12 finishers only)

Why is there a new push to change F1’s points system?

The main driver behind the F1’s points system change is the competitive pecking order this year, with a clear split between the top five and bottom five teams. With only 10 points-paying positions, that means on a normal weekend with few incidents, Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Aston Martin are expected to freeze out any points on offer.

Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Valtteri Bottas, Kick Sauber C44, Kevin Magnussen, Haas VF-24, the remainder of the field on the opening lap of the Sprint

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

The bottom five outfits are fighting for scraps and have to bank on any of the frontrunners hitting trouble or having an off-kilter performance, which has become more unlikely in recent years due to the near-bulletproof reliability that trademarks modern-day F1.

It also means that if one of the midfielders scores big by catching a lucky break in a chaotic race, it might be all but locked into sixth position for the season. As it stands after five race weekends, Williams, Alpine and Sauber are all yet to score any points.

What would the points system have changed since 2010?

Applying the prospective 2025 system to this season, extending the points down to 12th would have allowed every team to get off the board. There are…

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