Formula 1 has dropped its earlier initiative to overhaul the points system, finding it unnecessary according to credible sources.
The FIA, after a meeting of the F1 Commission in London, declared on Tuesday that the plan was unanimously dismissed, though no specific reasons were provided. Earlier in 2024, the F1 Commission had considered extending the range of points-awarding positions from the top 10 to the top 12, with even more radical changes also on the table.
Malte Gottlinger, a reporter for Sky Deutschland, explained the shift in perspective: "Shortly before the summer break, the balance of power has changed so much that all of the teams except Sauber were able to score points." He added, "The original justification for the proposal therefore lost its impact."
This adjustment was initially spurred by concerns that the lower-tier teams were consistently missing out on top ten finishes due to domination by the leading five teams. Tobias Gruner, from Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, noted, "The situation has now eased somewhat."
He reported that RB and Haas have managed to outperform Aston Martin regularly, for example, and noted, "In the world championship standings, the gap between the two halves of the table has narrowed significantly compared to the first five races. Alpine has managed to score points five times in the last eight weekends."
"The standings therefore reflect the balance of power relatively well," Gruner observed. "The team bosses have realised that a change to the points system is not necessary."
During the earlier meetings of the F1 Commission this year, stakeholders agreed to further evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of a broader points system. "Apparently, the disadvantages ultimately outweighed the advantages," the journalist concluded.
