Is it time to revise the Formula One points scoring system?
- Richard Baxter
- Feb 23, 2018
- 2 min read
Over the years Formula One has had many different point scoring systems. Since 1991 the top 6 drivers scored points, this was then increased in 2003 to the top 8 drivers until 2010 when it was decided the top 10 will receive points. The point system introduced in 2010 also increased the maximum amount of points available.
In 2010 the points changed; increasing the point gap for 1st and 2nd from two to seven giving a greater advantage to the driver who wins the most races across the length of the season. This was supposedly done to promote a “race-to-win attitude” – which seems a strange concept when thinking about racing drivers, who doesn’t want to win?
Furthermore extending points to the top 10 drivers, from top 8, accounted for the arrival of the three new teams (Lotus/Caterham, HRT/Hispania, Virgin/Marussia/Manor) resulting in 24 drivers on the grid.
All three of those teams have since left the sport, with Haas the only recent entrant, leaving 20 drivers on the grid. The points system hasn’t been updated in this time which now results in half of the field getting points.
With Lewis Hamilton wrapping up his fourth world championship despite 2 races still to go - being 56 points ahead of Vettel with a maximum of 50 points left - I have looked back at the last two points scoring systems to see if the championship would still be alive if we were currently using one of these.
The simple answer is no.
If we were to use the system used in ’91-’02 Hamilton would be ahead by 27 points with only 20 remaining.
The top 8 system, used from 2003 to 2009 the championship would, as well, be pretty much over as Hamilton would only require 1 point to win the championship - being 19 ahead with a maximum of 20 points left to gain.
It has been quite a few seasons since we last had two teams fighting for the world championship, the last three seasons has been Mercedes dominated and it would have been great if the championship this year had gone all the way to the finale, which it probably would have if Ferrari didn’t have such a bad run across the Asian races.
The current point system clearly works, but I personally feel that having the points cover half of the field is a bit too much especially with only 20 drivers on the grid, it almost seems too easy to get points, and maybe a new points system covering the top 8 would be better - but one that still gave the advantage to the winning driver.
With plenty of rumours flying around regarding new teams entering the sport, if any did, then the current points system could be perfect, and only enhance the quality of the racing action. But if not, then maybe action would be required.
With the season drawing to a close, the wait won’t be long until we get to see the potential changes Liberty Media decide to bring to Formula One.
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