F1: Rules changed for points awarded for washed out races
A meeting of the Formula 1 Commission, which includes governing body the FIA, Formula 1, and representatives of all ten current teams, took place in London on Monday in its traditional pre-season slot in order for decisions to be made about pressing issues.
An agreement was reached regarding how many points are awarded in the case of abandoned race. Last year’s Belgian Grand Prix was called off due to rain after just two laps of a procession behind the safety car, with drivers awarded half points. That meant Max Verstappen, who qualified on pole at Spa Francorchamps, scored 12.5 points for winning a race which never really took place, giving him what ended up being a crucial mid-season points boost in an intense fight with Hamilton.
New rules now state that points can only be awarded if at least two laps of ‘normal’ non-safety car running have been completed by the race leader, meaning fans are guaranteed at least some action in order for a race to count in the standings.
If the race leader has completed at least two but less than 25 percent of the scheduled racing laps, the top five drivers will be awarded reduced points (6, 4, 3, 2, 1). Between 25 and 50 percent, the top nine will be awarded reduced points (13, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1), and between 50 and 75 percent the whole of the top ten will score, again on slightly reduced terms (19, 14, 12, 9, 8, 6, 5, 3, 2, 1). If the Belgian GP were to be run again now, no driver would receive any points.
In addition, Formula 1 has finalized its plans for sprint events for 2022. Last time out, three sprint events took place, at Silverstone, Monza, and Interlagos. Sprints saw traditional qualifying moved to Friday evenings, with a shorter ‘sprint’ race taking place on Saturdays before the main grand prix on Sunday, in an effort to improve the amount of competitive on-track action taking place over the course of a weekend.
The Silverstone sprint in particular brought about one of the most controversial moments in the Verstappen and Hamilton scrap. After qualifying on pole for the sprint, Hamilton was overtaken by his Dutch rivals at the start and finished second at the event of the event, meaning Verstappen was able to start on pole for the main grand prix.
Verstappen and Hamilton fought hard around their first tour of the Northamptonshire track on the Sunday, and when the Mercedes man tried to overtake the Red Bull down the inside of Copse corner, made contact with Verstappen’s sidepod which sent the 24-year-old into the barriers and out of the race. Despite a drive-through penalty, Hamilton went on to win the race and Red Bull were left furious.
For the 2022 campaign, three more sprint events will take place, at the Imola, Spielberg and Interlagos circuits. The original plan had been for six sprints to take place, but some of the top teams in F1 were concerned about the financial implications about having to run their cars in competitive trim more often.
In 2021 the top three drivers at the end of the sprint were awarded points (3, 2, 1), but in an attempt to increase risk taking and enthusiasm further down the order, a change is being made this time around. For 2022, the top eight will all score points in the sprint (8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1).
The rule changes still need to be approved at next month’s World Motor Sport Council meeting, but that is considered a mere formality.