F1 makes a drastic rule change following Max Verstappen’s bizarre title clinch in Japan
The F1 commission has signed off a new ruling that will ensure that all shortened races get reduced points.
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Max Verstappen, 2022 Japanese GP
Max Verstappen won the 2022 F1 World Championship in a confusing manner after the Japanese Grand Prix. The rain-hit race did not complete the full distance. Subsequently, the paddock remained in the dark about the points to be awarded to drivers. However, Formula 1 has recently made amendments to the sporting regulations in a bid to mitigate such instances in the future.
The Formula 1 commission convened in the city of London before the start of pre-season testing. The commission comprises the 10 F1 teams, the FIA, and Liberty Media as the commercial rights holder. The most significant rule alteration includes changing wording regarding the points allotment for shortened races. This will ensure that shortened races do not get full points even if “they don’t finish with a suspended race.”
The 2022 Japanese Grand Prix had completed just two laps before being forced to stop for two hours. Later on, the race resumed, and they completed 28 out of the 53 scheduled laps. Consequently, teams and drivers were clueless regarding the points allotment for the race, so much so that Max Verstappen himself did not know if he had done enough to win the title at Suzuka.
F1 adds $1.2 Million to the cost cap for 2023
The Japanese GP had been awarded full points last year because of finishing the race under the chequered flag. Thus, this new ruling made by the Formula 1 commission ensures that such a scenario is not repeated in the future. As all shortened races will go through the same points allotment procedure. Certainly, this rule change will be welcomed by fans and, of course, Red Bull‘s Max Verstappen.
Additionally, other amendments were also made in this meeting. Notably, F1 teams will be allowed to spend an extra $1.2 Million to the base cost cap of $135 Million in 2023. The F1 Commission made this change considering the hectic 23-race-long calendar this year. Interestingly, the sport has allowed passed a new wet weather spec tire by Pirelli from the Imola race weekend. The FIA‘s World Motorsport Council is scheduled to approve these decisions shortly.
Thus, Formula 1 has decided to learn from the disaster at Suzuka in 2022. The sport’s new ruling will guarantee that there is consistency in the way points are awarded for races throughout the calendar. Subsequently, this allows for a fairer and more transparent process. Certainly, the FIA and the teams have acknowledged the problems and worked to fix them—a great sign for the sport’s future.
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Armaan Agarwal
(2310 Articles Published)