Formula 1 is considering updating the points system. Now the top 10 of a grand prix receive World Cup points. Will that be expanded to the top 12?
In a Formula 1 race there are 20 cars at the start. Whoever finishes in the top 10 scores World Cup points, the other 10 riders are left empty-handed.
Usually it is the cars of Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren and Aston Martin that finish in the points.
It’s a struggle for the little ones. This season, 7 drivers (Albon, Ocon, Zhou, Ricciardo, Gasly, Bottas and Sargeant) and 3 teams (Williams, Alpine and Kick Sauber) have not yet been able to score points in the first races.
Formula 1 wants to change this by also rewarding numbers 11 and 12 with World Cup points.
Alex Albon (Williams) would not be sad about it. He finished 11th in Saudi Arabia, 11th in Australia and 12th in China. It would have earned him 5 World Cup points.
| World Championship points per race | ||
|---|---|---|
| place | now | proposal |
| 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 |
There will be no changes to the extra World Championship point for the fastest lap and the points for a sprint race (8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1).
Ferrari boss: “I’m certainly not against”
World Championship points are not only important for the drivers, but also for the teams. Based on the constructors’ position, they get a share of the pie in Formula 1.
Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur understands the smaller racing stables.
“I am certainly not against the proposal,” the Frenchman responds. “I understand the frustration. Whether you finish 11th or 20th, it makes no difference at the moment.”
Formula 1 World Championship 2024
