FIA firms more points in sprints, rule to avoid Belgium repeat; AD update

The FIA has confirmed more points for sprint events in 2021 as new rule is added to avoid Belgium GP repeat plus update on Abu Dhabi.

The crucial F1 Commission meet took place in London earlier in the day to discuss three major points regarding 2021 and 2022 seasons. The first one was related to Abu Dhabi analysis whereby the FIA heard the feedback from the commission members.

The feedback was taken on board with the President to now publicly present the news of the new structure and action plan in the coming days. It is unclear if this will be done during the Bahrain GP weekend when WMSC happens or before that.

Moving on, there was a big change to avoid the repeat of 2021 Belgium GP shambles. From now onward, there be no points awarded if the leader and co have not done minimum of two laps without the safety car and or virtual safety car period.

Also, there will be ‘half points’ system anymore in case of shortened races. If they finish less than 25% of the distance but more than two laps, only Top 5 drivers will be awarded points with the maximum of five and the minimum of one.

If they complete more than 25% of the race and less than 50%, the Top 9 will be awarded points with the maximum of 13 and minimum of one. In case of more than 50% done and less than 75%, the Top 10 will be awarded points where the maximum is 19 and minimum is one.

The final point of discussion was about the sprint events with a compromise of three events to be held in 2022 as opposed to the planned six. With no breakthrough in commercial terms between the FIA/F1 and the teams, they retain the three-race system.

The venues are different with Imola and Austria replacing Silverstone and Monza, while Brazil stays on. The weekends with sprint races will see the fastest driver on Friday as the overall pole-sitter but he will not start the Sunday race on pole. He will start the Saturday race from, whereas the Saturday winner will start the Sunday race from pole position.

As opposed to the Top 3 scoring points, now Top 8 will be given points with the maximum of eight points awarded and minimum of one. The official name of the event will change from ‘Sprint Qualifying’ to just ‘Sprint’.

Here’s the full report from the FIA:

2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Analysis

The FIA President led detailed discussions of the 2021 FIA Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Feedback from the Commission on matters raised will be incorporated into the President’s analysis and he will publicly present news of structural changes and action plan in the coming days.

Sprint

Following a review of the three Sprint events that took place in 2021 and a recognition by all that the format created positive benefits for the sport, three Sprint events were proposed for 2022, acknowledging this as a sensible number in light of the pressures already on the teams for this season with the introduction of major changes to the regulations. The Commission unanimously approved the three Sprint events for the coming season, incorporating a number of updates to the format based on the feedback of fans, media and teams. The Sprint events will be:

• Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
• Austrian Grand Prix
• Brazilian Grand Prix

The format changes will include:

• Change of official session name from Sprint Qualifying to Sprint
• Awarding World Championship points for the top eight as follows:
  • 1^st – 8 points
  • 2^nd – 7 points
  • 3^rd – 6 points
  • 4^th – 5 points
  • 5^th – 4 points
  • 6^th – 3 points
  • 7^th – 2 points
  • 8^th – 1 point
• Awarding Pole Position for the Grand Prix to the fastest driver in Qualifying on Friday

Cost Cap Adjustments for Sprint events will remain unchanged from 2021.

Treatment of short races

Following the weather-affected 2021 FIA Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, the Commission approved proposed updates to the Sporting Regulations as follows:

• No points will be awarded unless a minimum of two laps have been completed by the leader without a Safety Car and/or Virtual Safety Car intervention.
• If the leader has completed more than two laps but less than 25% of the scheduled race distance, the top five finishers will be awarded points as follows:
  • 1^st – 6 points
  • 2^nd – 4 points
  • 3^rd – 3 points
  • 4^th – 2 points
  • 5^th – 1 point
• If the leader has completed 25% but less than 50% of the scheduled race distance, points will be awarded as follows:
  • 1^st – 13 points
  • 2^nd – 10 points
  • 3^rd – 8 points
  • 4^th – 6 points
  • 5^th – 5 point
  • 6^th – 4 points
  • 7^th – 3 points
  • 8^th – 2 points
  • 9^th – 1 point
• If the leader has completed 50% but less than 75% of the scheduled race distance, points will be awarded as follows:
  • 1^st – 19 points
  • 2^nd – 14 points
  • 3^rd – 12 points
  • 4^th – 9 points
  • 5^th – 8 point
  • 6^th – 6 points
  • 7^th – 5 points
  • 8^th – 3 points
  • 9^th – 2 points
  • 10^th – 1 point

Note that all regulatory changes are subject to approval by the World Motor Sport Council.

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