F1 changes race rule after last season’s Japanese GP confusion

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The Formula 1 commission, which includes the 10 teams, the governing FIA, and the commercial rights holder, met in London on Tuesday, where they rubber-stamped the decision to amend the wording of the rule.

The key decision, which will be endorsed by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council, seeks to ensure that shorter races have reduced points, even if they don’t end with a suspended race. 

The move follows last year’s rain-hit Japanese race, which was halted after just two laps and resumed more than two hours later. Only 28 of the scheduled 53 laps were completed, and Verstappen wasn’t sure how many points he had won. To his surprise, he was awarded full points, enabling him to clinch the title with four races to spare.

The FIA explained at the time that the reduced points rule applied only when a race was suspended and couldn’t be resumed. The commission’s decision to rewrite the rule is intended to ensure that the confusion over the awarding of points for shortened races does not arise again in the future.

The commission also decided to relax the regulation of radio messages to and from the drivers during competitions. The commission noted that the change in the regulation of radio messages is intended to promote better communication between drivers and their teams.

Pirelli will produce a new compound tyre that performs better and does not require the use of tyre blankets to get tyres up to temperature. The new compound will be introduced from the Imola race in May. The commission agreed to this change in wet weather tyre regulation.

Leon Osamor