New F1 points system farce. This week representatives from each of the Formula One teams will join a video conference to debate a proposed change to the current method of awarding points. The current system has been in place since 2010 but over the years F1 has rewarded success through a variety of different systems.
When first inaugurated, F1 awarded points only to the top 5 drivers 8-6-4-2-1 with a point for the fastest lap. This was changed in 1960 with the fastest lap point being dropped but sixth place now attracted a point. The winner now received 9 points in a format that would remain for a decade 9-6-4-3-2-1.
F1 history of different point systems
Currently, all points scored count towards the Championship; however, this has not always been the case. Originally, not all results counted towards the Championship, and until 1975, only the team’s best-placed car scored points towards the Constructors’ Championship.
Originally, not every point scored by a team or a driver counted towards the World Championship. Some results would be “dropped” and not included in the final standings. In the first season, only four results counted out the seven races that were run. The number of results counted was between either four, five or six until 1966.
The purpose of this scoring system was to ensure the teams who were financially challenged and maybe couldn’t afford to attend each round of the F1 championship received fair recognition for the events they did attend.
Of course in yesteryear the reliability of the cars across the field was poor and the attrition rate high. So even with the reduced number of scoring positions, the more lowly teams would still have the chance to score the odd point.
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Points should be a big reward
From 1991 onwards all points scored counted towards the Championship for both drivers and constructors. Then in 2010 came the biggest change to the scoring system in the sport’s history to the current ten positions receiving points…. 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1. Double points were on offer for the final race of the season in 2014, but the idea was quickly dropped and thankfully proved irrelevant.
Then in 2019 the fastest lap was once again rewarded with a single point so long as the driver completes the Grand Prix side the top ten finishing positions.
F1 fans and pundits alike have debated the merits of the various points scoring systems over the decades but the conversation has only served to prove, there is merit in different concepts and reasons why points can be used as an incentive.
The very motivation for scoring a point causes older F1 fans to get heated under the collar. Their belief is it should be very difficult to score points in F1 and the allure of even one point is enough motivation for each and every team/driver combination. This view favours awarding just the top six drivers points – as F1 did back in the day – but it fails to recognise the massive reliability improvements.
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The chance of one of the bottom four teams finishing in P6 now only comes around maybe just once a season when a freak race day arrive, and so points to just the top six becomes somewhat predictable.
Yet the very ‘freak’ chance of a Williams or Sauber claiming a P5 or P6 raises another question. With points only being scored for the first ten finishing places, one team may have a string of near misses finishing P11/12 consistently, yet when the ‘freak’ race comes along one of their close rivals steal a big points finish. This clearly does not reward consistency over the course of a season.
Of course in the North America premier single seater series offers points to all this who finish an Indycar race which some argue leads to more exciting season finales. Seventeen of the last eighteen Indycar series have been decided on the final day’s racing although this is more likely to be driven by the reduced differential between P1 and P2. In F1 the difference is 28% (25 points down to 18) whereas in Indycar its only 20% with 50 points for the winner and 40 for the driver in second.
F1 has adapted its points system over the years to reflect the different eras and there is an argument it should change again. Having seen over 20 years of dominant drivers and teams reduce points differential from P1 to P2 would extend the season before the prizes are decided.
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Points for everyone?
The proposal being considered would offer points to the drivers finishing P11 and P12, but this then begs the question why not offer points down to P15 or even for all those who are still running when the winner crosses the line for the final time.
However, this could tempt the farcical scenario where a car would under today’s system be retired, but with points being awarded all the way through the field, a team may then decide keep a driver with technical issues limping around until the chequered flag is waved.
Of course this could be mitigated by only awarding points to drivers no more than one lap down when the race comes to an end.
Formula One has historically made scoring points something of an achievement and by awarding points beyond tenth place risks devaluing what for some drivers was a career long pursuit.
Zero points good measure of underperforming
Veteran F1 writer Ed Straw believes retaining zero points is crucial.
“You can legitimately argue that the fairest scoring system would give points to all, quantifying every single result. But it’s essential to be able to fail to some extent, with zero points an important measure either of a team or driver that’s underperforming, or both,” he writes for the race.
Of course were points awarded all the way down to P15, this would have seen Lance Stroll score last time out in China. The question is whether after receiving a penalty from the stewards and points on his license Stroll should score at all, while Daniel Ricciardo who he wiped out of the Grand Prix was forced to retire his car?
The jeopardy of scoring nil points is important for fan engagement particularly in an era when the race winner is an odds on favourite. For the same reason the battle for P9 in a Sprint is of less interest than one for P8 where one point is scored, in the Grand Prix the battle for tenth is worthy of air time from the broadcaster.
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A proper review is required by F1
With Indycar having no cut off before no points are awarded, the race results appear more amorphous.
Rather than fiddle while Rome burns by debating whether two further points paying positions, F1 would be better served looking at the issue of its scoring system from a complete top down rewrite. Narrowing the gap between the top paying points finishes would help in such an era of dominance and yes at present its just Aston Martin. Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull who expect both cars to score each race weekend.
Making it easier for the bottom five teams to be rewarded has merits yet other farcical anomalous such as crashing out on the last lap and still being classified – rewarded for a mistake – is one the needs looking at again.
Further, removing the necessity for a driver to be in the points scoring position to benefit from the fastest lap one point rule would add incremental interest. This would lead to more hero one lap efforts in the closing stages of the race from drivers who have nothing else to race for.
Merely discussing whether to add two more points paying positions appears short sighted of F1 while the topic requires a far more fundamental review in light of the modern era of racing. F1 needs to consider at least the next 10-15 years and devise a proper scoring system that will be consistent for the medium term future.
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