F1 to Award Points to Top 12 Drivers Instead of 10, Helmut Marko Reveals, Demanding the Change

The technological aspect of F1 has improved by leaps and bounds, but there exists a stark divide among teams’ performance. Legacy teams like Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren battle hard to keep exchanging places for podiums. But Haas, Williams, and more, though they fight hard, mostly earn no points for weekends on end. Helmut Marko, who is witnessing the main Red Bull team winning constantly, also has to deal with the junior RB team getting next-to-no points every other weekend. This has led him to demand immediate changes from F1 to improve the playing field.

In 2023, AlphaTauri (now RB), Alfa Romeo (now Sauber), and Haas ended the season with less than 26 points each. Max Verstappen secured those many points in a single race, that too, multiple times. With only 10 out of 20 drivers being awarded points in every race, the backmarkers usually race for nothing. A stroke of extreme good luck remains their only hope.

Turns out, F1 is already working on extending the points bracket to the Top 12 finishers instead of just the Top 10. “Formula 1 is currently talking about awarding points for the first twelve, not only for the top ten, like today,” Helmut Marko wrote in his column for Speedweek. “The reason: A two-class society has formed. If the drivers of the best five teams have no technical problems and Mr. (Lance) Stroll has a normal day, then there are no points for the other five racing stables.”

He further added, saying, “Due to the cost cap, the field has moved together, which leads to extremely exciting multiple fights in the midfield. This should be rewarded in some form. If ten drivers fight so hard but have no prospect of a point, then maybe it’s time to change something.”

Marko’s call for sweeping changes could also be stemming from RB’s frustrating chase for points in 2024. But worse than them are Haas, with only 5 points compared to RB’s 7.

Haas Boss Ayao Komatsu backs Helmut Marko’s demand for urgent F1 change

After 5 races in 2024, Williams, Alpine, and Sauber have 0 points to their name. They are the 3 slowest cars on the grid, with Haas having made some progress with their pace. However, in 2023, Haas finished dead last in the constructors’ championship with only 12 points.

To avoid a repeat of that and prevent other teams from getting no points for such long periods, the American team’s Team Principal, Ayao Komatsu, has highlighted the dangers to the sport. “We have three teams with zero points and I don’t think that’s good for the sport,” he said after the Chinese GP.

Teams like Williams have been finishing in the bottom Top 3 for many years. This not only destroys their reputation but also threatens their position in F1. With teams like Andretti desperate to enter the pinnacle of motorsport, they could run out of business. What is your view on this potential change in the points system? Let us know in the comments below.