F1's points system needs losers
FINAL CORNER, CHEQUERED FLAG: Points in F1 need to mean something
Points need to be earned and not handed out in the world of Formula 1.
The F1 commission met last Monday to vote on whether the number of point-scoring positions in a race should be increased.
The teams opted to delay the vote, but it has raised a debate over whether more than just the top 10 should be rewarded in a given weekend.
The current proposal suggests upping the number of points-paying positions to 12, reshaping the system for the first time since 2010.
F1 used to award just the top six finishers up until the start of 2003, when it was expanded to the top eight.
The current system, whereby the top 10 get points, was brought in for 2010 when there were also 12 teams on the grid.
This system has worked well, and the balance of 10 haves and 10 have nots has proven quite entertaining, even as the grid has reduced back to 20 cars.
Upping the number to 12 wouldn’t be the worst idea, especially with the field spread so clearly between a top five and a bottom five.
But for Lance Stroll’s poor performances in Aston Martin, the opportunities for half the grid to get inside the top 10 consistently would be extremely limited.
Expanding that to 12 allows for a bit more variation, and acknowledges the growing split between the top and the bottom.
However, it has also been argued that every driver that finishes a race should be given some points.
Sky Sports commentator David Croft is perhaps the loudest proponent of this idea, using his huge platform during the Chinese Grand Prix to once again advocate for a total meritocracy in the points system.
But this is something F1 should avoid.
While some teams may come away from an entire weekend with nothing, thus making their existence “pointless” in some ways, this usually corrects itself over the course of a whole season.
For instance, each team has scored at least one point in each of the last two seasons.
This is a sign that the budget cap is working, as this was not the case for 2021, 20, 19, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11 or 10.
Expanding to a top 12 would also make a lot of sense in a world where an 11th team joined the grid, with Andretti still pursuing their entrance into the sport.
Rewarding all the drivers from 20-1 with points would encourage safe driving and minimise the risk of racing.
The best way to avoid incidents is to avoid fighting for position at all.
Proponents of the idea, such as Croft, argue that a battle for 18th and 19th would be more entertaining as there would be something on the line.
However, this is an extremely flawed idea.
Firstly, if a race needs a battle over 18th place to become interesting, then the sport is in an even worse place than you could possibly imagine.
It’s bad enough the battle for first is currently off limits, but the rest of the top 10 to 12 still have enough going on to sustain an entertaining race.
Secondly, if points are up for grabs no matter where you finish then the miniscule difference between 18th and 19th is likelier to see two drivers settle for their position, rather than fight, as a clash could risk a DNF and no points at all.
Thirdly, the accomplishment of finally earning points is a mark of a solid drive and helps those at the back of the pack stand out.
George Russell’s three-year wait for points with Williams led to him breaking down in tears in the media pen in Hungary 2021.
Mick Schumacher’s search for a points finish with Haas was another satisfying story at Silverstone 2022, and is an achievement nobody can take from him.
Receiving points for coming last would diminish these moments that help put drivers further down the grid in the spotlight.
Simply turning up and being at the back should not be enough to earn something.
Just look at the 2020 and 2021 Haas cars, which were routinely seconds a lap behind the leaders.
Their non-points finish in 2021 was entirely justified and highlighted how far behind they were to their rivals, who all scored that year.
Bringing the limit to 12 is fine, but there simply has to be a limit in order for points finishes in F1 to still mean something.
Prediction corner
Staying on topic, I expect this change to the points system to pass when the vote finally arrives, presumably in time for the 2025 season.
Quote of the week
“I'm doing my best not to say what I want to say. But f**k that guy – and I'm being nice still,” said Daniel Ricciardo following his race-ending crash with Lance Stroll in China.
“But if that's what he thinks, I'm like… yeah.”
Ricciardo had been informed that Stroll took no responsibility for his role in ending the Aussie’s race, which did not go down well.
Driver Power Rankings - China
Max Verstappen was once again at his dominant best, barely putting a foot wrong all weekend.
Lando Norris was superb in his drive to second, out-performing a Red Bull and two Ferraris, even if he got a slice of luck with the Safety Car timing.
Charles Leclerc had a much-needed strong weekend, finishing ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz.
Fernando Alonso’s epic save on the final corner was an eye-catching moment, but he also had solid pace, even if strategy potentially cost him a place.
George Russell was solid in an unspectacular Mercedes, while Nico Hulkenberg earned another impressive points finish for Haas, showing why Audi have been so keen to sign him up for 2025 and beyond.
It was a poor weekend for Stroll, Oscar Piastri, Kevin Magnussen and Logan Sargeant, who all finished well off the pace, albeit Piastri did sustain damage courtesy of Stroll.
Race Ratings - China
China is difficult to judge as it was also the first sprint of the season.
The new format was certainly an improvement, and the wet qualifying session led to an entertaining sprint.
But this is looking at the overall quality of the race, which is still far more important than everything else.
As a Grand Prix, China delivered an average race.
It was good to see racing on a traditional, quality circuit, but the action wasn’t as great as previous years in Shanghai. 2/5.
Race Rankings
Storyline to look out for - Miami
It broke late Thursday afternoon that Adrian Newey is planning to leave Red Bull after nearly 20 years with the team.
He is credited with being the design genius behind their championship winning cars, although Christian Horner has publicly downplayed the importance of his role.
The 65-year-old is reportedly being courted by both Ferrari and Aston Martin, and his signing would be a huge coup for either team.
This will be a huge story as the teams arrive in Miami next week.