F1 News, Reports and Race Results

F1 teams unanimously reject changes to points system for 2025

Formula 1's points system will remain unchanged in 2025 after all teams voted against a proposal to expand points allocation beyond tenth place during Tuesday's FIA F1 Commission meeting.

This decision follows an initiative earlier this year by several midfield teams to re-examine the series' long-standing scoring system, which currently awards points to the top 10 finishers.

Some teams had advocated for extending the points-paying positions to include the top 12 or top 14, arguing that this would provide lower-end teams with an additional incentive.

The proposal was initially brought up at the F1 Commission meeting in April, but more time was deemed necessary to finalize the points structure and anticipate any potential consequences, leading to a deferral to the next meeting.

During Tuesday's follow-up meeting which took place in London and which was attended by all 10 teams, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, and FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis, it was decided that the points system would stay unchanged for the 2025 season.

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"It was unanimously agreed that there would be no changes to the distribution of championship points following a recent proposal to consider expanding the point allocation beyond 10th place in a Grand Prix," read a statement from the FIA.

The Commission also decided to increase the minimum weight allocation for drivers from 80kg to 82kg, citing "the interests of driver well-being."

Consequently, the minimum car weight will also increase by 2kg, from 798kg to 800kg, starting in 2025.

Furthermore, the agreement to exclude costs related to maternity/paternity leave, sick leave, and team entertainment from F1's cost cap will continue.

The meeting also addressed the sport’s 2026 regulations, which were previously outlined ahead of last month’s Canadian Grand Prix and received mixed feedback from the teams.

The FIA updated the teams on the timeline for finalizing the 2026 chassis regulations, which need to be refined to accommodate the demands of the revised power units.

An extraordinary F1 Commission meeting to discuss the 2026 rules is scheduled for 2 October, preceding a meeting of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council two weeks later.

Finally, recognizing the seismic shift coming in 2026, the Commission unveiled a revamped pre-season testing schedule.

To ensure a smooth transition and allow teams enough time to shake down their next-generation cars, nine pre-season test days will be strategically spread across three separate three-day winter tests in 2026.

This extended testing period aims to put everyone on an equal footing when the 2026 season finally kicks off.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.