2021 Abu Dhabi grand prix Analysis

The FIA President led detailed discussions of the 2021 FIA Formula 1 Abu Dhabi grand prix. Feedback from the Commission on matters raised will be incorporated into the President’s analysis and he will publicly present news of structural changes and action plan in the coming days.

Sprint

Following a review of the three Sprint events that took place in 2021 and a recognition by all that the format created positive benefits for the sport, three Sprint events were proposed for 2022, acknowledging this as a sensible number in light of the pressures already on the teams for this season with the introduction of major changes to the regulations. The Commission unanimously approved the three Sprint events for the coming season, incorporating a number of updates to the format based on the feedback of fans, media and teams. The Sprint events will be:

The format changes will include:

  • Change of official session name from Sprint Qualifying to Sprint
  • Awarding World Championship points for the top eight as follows:
    • 1st – 8 points
    • 2nd – 7 points
    • 3rd – 6 points
    • 4th – 5 points
    • 5th – 4 points
    • 6th – 3 points
    • 7th – 2 points
    • 8th – 1 point
  • Awarding Pole Position for the Grand Prix to the fastest driver in Qualifying on Friday

Cost Cap Adjustments for Sprint events will remain unchanged from 2021.

Treatment of short races

Following the weather-affected 2021 FIA Formula 1 Belgian grand prix, the Commission approved proposed updates to the Sporting Regulations as follows:

  • 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

Note that all regulatory changes are subject to approval by the World Motor Sport Council.


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2 F1 Fan comments on “Media statement after F1 commission 2021 review

  1. Jere Jyrälä

    Red Bull Ring & Interlagos are decently racing-friendly on paper, but Imola not as much, so I wish Montreal, Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, or COTA instead.
    I guess the intention is spreading out the three Sprints, albeit Spa is decently far away from both Red Bull Ring & Interlagos.
    Well, at least a fairer points distribution, coincidently, one I had suggested before alongside top-5 & 6 alternatives.
    As for short race treatment:
    Unnecessarily messy, albeit the two green-flag lap requirement is good.
    No more half points for anything below 75% like used to be the case, although 75 is still the minimum requirement for full distribution.


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