FIA changes F1 points rules after Belgian GP washout

F1 found itself in controversy when the Belgian GP was hit by heavy and persistent rain at Spa-Francorchamps last August, resulting in race start delays before it was officially begun with formation laps behind the safety car.

After further delays, the race was stopped by the stewards to target a period when the rain was forecast to ease off. But when that didn't arrive to provide sufficient safe conditions to restart the race, two full race laps were completed behind the safety car to ensure a classification could be issued.

As a result, Max Verstappen was declared the winner, with the top 10 awarded half points in the shortest grand prix in F1's recorded history.

Following backlash from fans, the FIA has changed the rules around shortened races, with no points awarded for a race unless a minimum of two laps have been completed by the race leader without a safety car or virtual safety car – meaning no points would have been awarded for last year's Belgian GP under the new rules.

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The points rules have been broken down further, with the top five receiving points if more than two laps are completed by less than 25% of the schedule race distance is completed.

If the race leader has completed between 25%-50% of the scheduled race distance, the top nine receive points, while if the race leader has completed between 50%-75% of the scheduled race distance, the top 10 receive points.

Verstappen collected half points for winning the 2021 Belgian GP, which never completed a green flag lap

Photo by: Alastair Staley / Motorsport Images

Here's a full breakdown of the new points system per scheduled race distance completed:

No points will be awarded unless a minimum of two laps have been completed by the leader without a Safety Car and/or Virtual Safety Car intervention.

If the leader has completed more than two laps but less than 25% of the scheduled race distance, the top five finishers will be awarded points as follows:

1st – 6 points
2nd – 4 points
3rd – 3 points
4th – 2 points
5th – 1 point

If the leader has completed 25% but less than 50% of the scheduled race distance, points will be awarded as follows:

1st – 13 points
2nd – 10 points
3rd – 8 points
4th – 6 points
5th – 5 point
6th – 4 points
7th – 3 points
8th – 2 points
9th – 1 point

If the leader has completed 50% but less than 75% of the scheduled race distance, points will be awarded as follows:

1st – 19 points
2nd – 14 points
3rd – 12 points
4th – 9 points
5th – 8 point
6th – 6 points
7th – 5 points
8th – 3 points
9th – 2 points
10th – 1 point

The proposed updates to the F1 rules are set to be made official after approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.