The idea of shaking up Formula 1’s points system has taken a back seat after Tuesday’s FIA F1 Commission meeting in London.
During the meeting, all F1 teams unanimously decided to keep the current points structure intact for the 2025 season. This decision came after a proposal earlier in the year to extend points to drivers who finish outside the top 10. The motivation behind this proposal was to give lower-tier teams more opportunities to score points and stay competitive. However, after much deliberation, the existing points system will stay put, deemed fair as it reflects the current performance dynamics among F1 teams.
Earlier this season, some midfield teams rallied for change. They believed that expanding the points-paying positions would keep the competition exciting and give underperforming teams a shot at glory. Originally, the plan was to allow drivers finishing as low as 12th place to score points. Unfortunately for those championing the change, the rapidly evolving performance of teams rendered the proposal less urgent. The grid is no longer split as cleanly between the top and bottom five teams. This shift means that all but one team, Sauber, have managed to score points, reinforcing that the current system is functioning as intended.
Meanwhile, other changes were agreed upon at the meeting. Starting in 2025, the minimum weight allocation for F1 drivers will increase from 80kg to 82kg, with car weight also bumped up by 2kg. These changes come in the interest of driver well-being. Additionally, costs associated with maternity and paternity leave, sick leave, and team entertainment will continue to be excluded from F1’s cost cap. This move aims to protect female employees and encourage team diversity, avoiding any discouragement in hiring women.
As for the future, the Commission discussed the upcoming 2026 regulations. The FIA shared updates on finalizing the chassis regulations to accommodate the new power units. An important meeting is slated for October 2nd, where further discussions on these 2026 changes will take place. Expect a busy winter for teams, as nine pre-season test days over three three-day sessions are planned to get everyone up to speed on the new rules.
So, the points system remains, but expect plenty of changes and discussions as F1 gears up for an action-packed future. Stay tuned!
