2024-04-26 21:37:58
The number of scoring drivers in each Formula 1 Grand Prix is to increase to twelve. The reason is also the unprecedented reliability of single-seaters.
In the wooden days of Formula 1, only the top five drivers finished for points. From the 1960 season, the number of points awarded positions increased to six, which lasted for 42 long years (albeit with a gradually changing value of each position).
The big revolution came at the end of the last millennium with the expansion to the top 10, and in 2010 the scoring stabilized at the current state of 25 points for a triumph. It was only five years ago that a point for the fastest lap began to be awarded.
However, during the recent Grand Prix of China, information appeared that starting next season, a dozen competitors should share the points. In order not to significantly change the conditions for the fight for the title, changes are planned only from the eighth row.
There are two reasons for this step. One marketing and the other technical.
It doesn’t look good for any team to end the season without a single point. This was “succeeded” three years ago by Haas and a year earlier by Williams.
It’s very difficult to find sponsors when the question “How are you doing?” you reply, “You know, we’re trying hard, but we’re out of points.”
After five races of the current season, three teams are still at zero: Williams, Alpine and Sauber. At the same time, with the extension to the top 12, all ten participants fighting in the Constructors’ Cup would score points.
According to Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, who finished 11th in Shanghai, the main problem in F1 today is the large gap between the top teams and the rest of the field.
“It’s a band-aid for a big wound, it can help in the current situation,” said the Frenchman.
According to his rival from Haas, Kevin Magnussen, the attractiveness of the races would also increase, because there would always be something to fight for on the track.
“It won’t change anything in the final result of the championship, but I think it means a more interesting battle between the bottom five teams,” said the Dane.
The second reason to increase the portion of points is the unprecedented durability of current single-seaters. The somewhat “frozen” technical rules of six-cylinder turbo engines cause only a few technical problems in races. Rider mistakes and the resulting crashes are responsible for greater “mortality”.
There is no need to worry about the twelve not being fulfilled at the finish line. Last year at least 14 cars finished each Grand Prix. The last race with only a dozen riders can be found in the “crash-fest” during the Grand Prix of Tuscany 2020.
Current and projected Formula 1 points standings:
| P. | today | suggested |
| 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 |
Note: For a point for the fastest lap, it would be enough to finish in the top 12 instead of the current position at the finish line in the top 10.