This is the new points format if the Belgian GP has rain trouble again

Debacle at Spa-Francorchamps

The Belgian GP was stopped after three laps behind the safety car. The points were distributed to the top ten, while they did not actually have to drive for it. They only had to stay on the track behind the safety car. Although it was only half points, the F1 world was in an uproar because of this race. Especially the disappointed fans who were present at Spa-Francorchamps.

With rain predicted for the 2022 Belgian GP, it will be interesting to see what has actually changed in the rules since that race. What would happen now if a race was shortened? One thing is for sure: there will be no more half-points in F1.

Last year the race officials could award half points to the drivers because the race had officially started. That this happened behind the safety car was not something that was described in the rules as wrong. As long as the race had started, the race control could always hand out points. This has not been the case since that GP.

New rules for shorter Grands Prix

The FIA has now included in the rules that there must be at least two complete laps without a safety car in order to award points. If there are less than two 'free laps', no points will be awarded. A scenario like 2021 can therefore no longer occur with the new rules.

If between two laps and 25 percent of the full race distance has been covered, points are only awarded to the top five. The point distribution is then as follows:

1st - 6 points

2nd- 4 points

3rd- 3 points

4th- 2 points

5th- 1 point

If between 25 and 50 percent of the race distance is covered, not only the first five but the top nine are awarded points. Only the number ten will miss out. The following distribution of points applies:

1st - 13 points

2nd - 10 points

3rd- 8 points

4th- 6 points

5th- 5 points

6th- 4 points

7th- 3 points

8th- 2 points

9th- 1 point

The final step in which points are not awarded in full is when a race is between 50 and 75 percent of the full race distance. Then the entire top ten will receive points.

1st - 19 points

2nd- 14 points

3rd- 10 points

4th- 8 points

5th- 6 points

6th- 5 points

7th- 4 points

8th- 3 points

9th- 2 points

10th- 1 point

No more half points in F1

Due to the new points distribution, half points in F1 are (for now) a thing of the past. Until last year's Grand Prix, half points were always distributed, which meant that the final championship standings also ended with half points. Now, an F1 season will always end with full points, even if some or more races are not fully completed.