F1 Commission; structural changes, Sprint race returns and weather-affected races

Credit: Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

The Formula One Commission was held in London yesterday and it announced some updates on the 2022 season and provided an update on the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix inquiry.

Abu Dhabi Inquiry

Abu Dhabi has been under immense scrutiny since the chequered flag fell two months ago. As such, it has remained fairly relevant with the fans on social media.

It spiralled down to how Red Bull’s Max Verstappen secured his maiden world championship, as the regulations were broken to ensure a one-lap shootout between the two championship protagonists (Mercedes’ Sir Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen).

In a statement release by the FIA, they said:

“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.”

It is unclear if this means Michael Masi, the race director, will lose his job under these ‘structural changes’ but it is speculated that it may be heading that way.

Sprint races return

After experimenting with the sprint race format last year, for the first time in F1’s history, it will be continue to be on the calendar this season.

This comes after the F1 commission unanimously voted in favour of the format’s return.

As a result, the first Sprint race will be held at Imola during the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, followed by the Austrian and Brazilian Grand Prix.

With the return, the Commission also made some changes to the format itself, with the first change being its title. Rather than the format being named Sprint Qualifying, it’s going to be called Sprint.

Pole Position will be awarded to the fastest driver on Friday, which will set the grid for the Sprint race.

While last year, the Sprint format only awarded the top three finishers, the F1 Commission have agreed to extend the points awarded down the field to the top eight who finish the race:

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Weather-affected races

In light of the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix, where Verstappen secured the win after two laps behind the safety car – in soaking conditions, the Commission updated the regulations on weather-affected races.

However, one aspect of the regulation still stands: two laps have to be completed, with or without a safety car (including the virtual safety car) for points to be awarded.

But, distance-related aspects of the regulation have changed.

If the leader has completed two laps, but less than 25% race distance, the points awarded will be shared out to the top five:

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

But if the leader completed 25%, but less than 50%, the points will be shared with the top nine:

• 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

The most amount of points will be awarded if the leader has completed more than 50% of the race, but less than 75%:

• 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

That’s it for the article: F1 Commission; structural changes, Sprint race returns and weather-affected races! What did you think of the F1 Commission’s announcement? Let us know in the comments!

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.