Formula 1’s teams, along with the FIA and Formula One Management (FOM), are planning to hold discussions regarding a modified points system that will distribute points to the top 12 finishers. According to a report by Motorsport.com, talks were held last week to explore the possibility of altering the way points are awarded, and the F1 Commission is scheduled to further deliberate on the matter. The proposed change aims to provide more opportunities for scoring points by expanding the number of positions from which points can be earned, increasing it from 10 to 12. This adjustment is being considered due to the significant performance gap between the top five teams (Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, and Aston Martin) and the bottom five teams (RB, Haas, Williams, Alpine, and Sauber). In the absence of exceptional performances or retirements, the top five teams, solely based on their pace, can monopolize the top 10 positions that earn points, as was evident in the season opener in Bahrain. Christian Horner, the Team Principal of Red Bull, acknowledged the current divide in Formula 1, stating that it feels like there are two distinct groups within the sport, with teams ranked six to 10 engaging in a fierce battle similar to teams ranked one to five. However, under exceptional circumstances, such as Lance Stroll’s mistake during a Safety Car restart in Shanghai, one points-scoring position becomes available for the bottom five teams to compete for. In the Chinese Grand Prix, this opportunity was seized by Nico Hulkenberg of Haas, who expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating that they had to achieve a flawless qualifying session on Saturday and a faultless race on Sunday to secure their current position. Hulkenberg emphasized the significance of earning a single point, as it holds considerable value for his team. After the first five races of the season, Red Bull is currently in sixth place with seven points, trailing Aston Martin, which occupies fifth place, by a margin of 33 points. Three teams, namely Williams, Alpine, and Sauber, have yet to score any points. The proposed new points system will follow a sliding scale, with the top finisher receiving 25 points, followed by 18, 15, 12, and so on, until the 12th-place finisher is awarded one point. This is in contrast to the existing system, where the points distribution is as follows: 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1.
This is a significant departure from the previous scoring system used in previous seasons. From 2003 to 2009, only the top eight drivers were awarded points in races, which was later extended to include the top six.
The proposed system for 2025 aims to allocate points to over half of the grid. Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur supports this change but acknowledges the need for careful examination.
“I am not opposed to it,” Vasseur told Motorsport.com.
“Having worked with Alfa Romeo, I understand the frustration of having a great weekend but finishing in P11 with no reward if there are no retirements ahead of you.
“Whether you finish P11 or P20, it makes no difference, and I can understand the frustration. However, if you implement this system and next year there are six teams ahead of you, the same frustration will apply to P13. We need to be cautious, but I am not against it.”
RB has been one of the most successful midfield teams in terms of scoring points when given the opportunity. Yuki Tsunoda finished seventh in Australia and tenth in Japan, earning the team a total of seven points so far.
Team Principal Laurent Mekkies understandably supports the proposed new points system.
“There are no longer any backmarkers,” he stated.
“In Formula 1, there are now six original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), plus Red Bull Racing, making a total of seven top teams.”
Mekkies argued that even the bottom five teams are now large organizations, and this number is set to increase to seven in 2026 with the arrival of Audi.
“It is challenging to explain to the outside world, our partners, and our fans that we are fighting for P11, which actually doesn’t grant any points,” he continued.
“We also believe that this system is more meritocratic because if points are awarded up to P12, it prevents situations where a surprising result, like a P5 or P4 in the rain, allows some teams to skip ten races.”
Haas Team Principal Ayoa Komatsu raised the question, “What are the drawbacks?”
“Currently, we have three teams with zero points, and I don’t think that is beneficial for the sport.”