World Cup points redistributed: Formula 1, anything else? / System 1

A few years ago, Formula 1’s strategy group discussed the question of whether all drivers should be awarded championship points at once. Background: It should attract drivers fighting for the lower positions to throw themselves into the fight as in the 9th and 10th place duels.

Formula 1 Champion Nico Rosberg said in China: “Formula 1 is a performance category. Midfield teams need to stretch themselves to enter the top ten.”

In 2024 we have this situation: Red Bull Racing, Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin and Mercedes form the front half of the field, and if the cars of these five teams run fast, the top ten positions are occupied.

Drivers from Visa Cash App RB (Racing Bulls), Haas, Williams, Alpine and Sauber then leave empty-handed in this order currently occupying 6 to 10 places in the constructors’ cup.

In the first five GP weekends, RBR, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Aston Martin collected 534 points, but the other five racing teams collected only 12.

The representatives of the lower teams have now proposed to give the World Cup points to at least 12th place.

First impressions from fans online: Everything else is fine, Formula 1? Don’t we have more problems to solve right now?

At this point in history, if I can.

There have been frequent changes to the points system, much to the chagrin of statisticians whose tables have become increasingly cluttered.

From 1950 to 1959, the top five received World Championship points, as well as points for the best race lap.

From 1960 onwards this point was removed, but the driver in 6th place now also got a championship mark.

From 1961, the winner received 9 instead of 8 points. The 9-6-4-3-2-1 distribution remained unchanged for thirty years.

Apart from the confusing rule of discarded results (only a certain number of races counted towards the overall level), everything remained the same until 1991. The winner then got 10 points.

From 2003 to 2009, the top eight drivers received championship points (10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1). Since 2010, the first ten drivers have scored World Championship points, with the key 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1.

Then in 2018 came a plan to give pilots all the points by heart. World champion Fernando Alonso at the time: “I think it must be difficult to fight for points.” I still remember when Jules Bianchi fought for ninth place in Monaco in 2014, it was a big story, a small racing miracle. If all drivers receive points, that exclusive time will be lost. Points must remain something special.”

In the Forum 1 discussions, the response to “Points for all” was negative. It was not the first time that fans were angered by efforts to reduce the points award for no reason. They recalled the absurdity of the two World Cup points in the World Cup final in Abu Dhabi 2014.

It happened like this: At the end of 2013, the then Formula 1 promoter Bernie Ecclestone decided, with the blessing of the FIA, to give two points to the final of the 2014 World Cup in Abu Dhabi. This aspect of the show was met with 90 percent disapproval among fans, and experts agreed with fans.

Christian Danner, a Formula 1 expert from our colleagues at RTL, complained at the time: “That’s just ridiculous! You have to find the root of the problem and make the cars right. Then you don’t need to distort the world championship by chance in the last race. Giving away double points in the season finale is a clear and wrong decision.”

Former Formula 1 driver Martin Brundle echoed the same sentiment: “No one needs that and it diminishes the importance of the rest of the race.”

The World Cup points for the top twelve teams will be discussed between the World Cup rounds in Shanghai and Miami. With a possible introduction as early as 2025.

China-GP, Shanghai International Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:40:52,554 h
02. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +13.773
03. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +19,160
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +23,623
05. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +33,983
06. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +38,724
07. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +43,414
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +56.198
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +57,986
10. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1:00,476 min
11. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1:02,812
12. Alex Albon (T), Williams, +1:05,506
13. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1:09,223
14. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, +1:11,689
15. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1:22,768
16. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1:27.553
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1:35,110
outside
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, collision
Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, Collision
Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, engine

World Championship Position (after 5 out of 24 Grands Prix and 1 out of 6 Sprints)

the driver
01. Verstappen 110 points
02. Perez 85
03. Leclerc 76
04. Sainz 69
05. Norris 58
06. Plate 38
07. Russell 33
08. Alonso 31
09. Hamilton 19
10. Walk 9
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 4
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Okon 0
17. Zhou 0
18. Ricciardo 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 195 Punkte
02. Ferrari 151
03. McLaren 96
04. Mercedes 52
05. Aston Martin 40
06. Running Bull 7
07. Exactly 5
08. Williams 0
09. Alpine 0
10. Sauber 0