Introduction

Formula 1 has long been defined by its relentless pursuit of speed and precision. Each Grand Prix weekend follows a familiar rhythm—practice, qualifying, and then a race over a set distance that typically totals around 305 km. Most of the time, the chequered flag falls exactly on schedule. But sometimes circumstances conspire to shorten that distance. Torrential rain, multi‑car accidents, power outages, or other unexpected factors can interrupt or halt a race entirely. When that happens, officials must decide how to award points fairly and how those points translate into the drivers’ and constructors’ standings.

In the past Formula 1 had simple rules for these situations: if more than 75 % of the scheduled race distance was completed, full points were awarded; if less, half points were given. After the chaotic and controversial 2021 Belgian Grand Prix, however, the sport introduced a sliding scale that awards points based on the proportion of the race that was completed under green‑flag conditions. This article explains why the rules changed, how the current system works, and what it means for championship standings.

Why races get cut short

Grand Prix events are scheduled months in advance, but the real world refuses to follow an ideal script. Heavy rain can reduce visibility so dramatically that cars aquaplane off track or drivers cannot see the braking points. Thick fog or low cloud can prevent medical helicopters from taking off, making it impossible to comply with safety regulations. A bad accident can damage barriers, leaving officials with no choice but to stop proceedings while repairs are carried out. On rare occasions, infrastructure failures—such as power outages in the paddock—can interrupt the timing systems or communications the teams rely on. The three‑hour time limit, introduced to ensure races do not drag on indefinitely, can also force a premature end if there are lengthy red‑flag periods.

In each of these scenarios, race control has to balance safety with sporting integrity. If conditions improve quickly, a temporary pause and then a restart might be possible. When the track remains dangerous or the clock runs out, the race is ended early. Shortened races raise two important questions: should points be awarded at all, and if so, how should they be allocated? The answers have evolved significantly over the years.

The old half‑points system

For decades Formula 1 used a simple rule: if a race could not reach 75 % of the scheduled distance, only half points would be awarded. This rule covered countless weather‑affected events and ensured that some reward was still given for the effort expended up to the stoppage. Famous examples include the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix, where torrential rain led to an early finish and half points for winner Alain Prost; the 1991 Australian Grand Prix, which ended after just 14 laps due to heavy rain; and the 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix, when a tropical downpour forced drivers to abandon the race on lap 31 of 56.

The half‑points rule was straightforward and rarely caused controversy, but it did not differentiate between a race stopped after one third distance and a race halted on lap 74 of 78. When the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix was interrupted by extreme rain, the application of the old rule created widespread dissatisfaction. Only a handful of laps were completed behind the safety car, with no opportunity for actual racing. Yet full points were initially awarded based on the starting grid, leading to accusations that the result lacked sporting merit. In response, the FIA and Formula 1 management agreed to overhaul the points system for shortened races and clarify the conditions required before points could be awarded.

Why the rule changed after Spa 2021

The 2021 Belgian Grand Prix was a watershed moment. Rain lashed the Ardennes Circuit all weekend, and on race day the conditions were so bad that the cars could not run at racing speed. After several hours of delays and a few safety‑car laps, officials waved the chequered flag and declared a result. Under the old rules, the drivers were initially given half points because the race had run more than two laps but less than 75 % distance. Max Verstappen, who had secured pole position and therefore led the procession behind the safety car, was awarded 12.5 points. George Russell, who had qualified a remarkable second for Williams, scored his first nine points of the year.

Fans and teams argued that awarding points for laps run almost entirely behind the safety car diminished the legitimacy of the championship. How could a driver earn championship points without any real racing? The FIA acknowledged the criticism and set about creating a fairer system. The result was a sliding scale of points, dependent on the percentage of race distance completed under green‑flag conditions, and a clear minimum requirement of racing laps.

The 2022‑onwards sliding points scale

The revised rules, implemented ahead of the 2022 season and still in effect for 2025, introduced a tiered structure. Full championship points are awarded only if 75 % or more of the scheduled race distance is completed. If the distance falls below that threshold, points are scaled according to three ranges. Two additional safeguards were also added:

  1. Green‑flag laps requirement – At least two racing laps must be completed under green‑flag conditions (i.e. without the safety car or virtual safety car). Laps run entirely behind the safety car do not count toward the total. If this criterion is not met, no points are awarded.

  2. Time limit – Regardless of the scheduled distance, a race cannot exceed three hours from its start time, including any red‑flag interruptions. The time limit ensures that events do not drag on indefinitely.

The three points columns work as follows:

Points Column 1: Two laps to 25 % distance

If at least two green‑flag laps are completed but the race ends before reaching 25 % of the scheduled distance, the top five finishers score points on a 6–4–3–2–1 scale. This means the winner receives six championship points, second place gets four, and so on down to a single point for fifth place. No points are awarded from sixth place downward. This tier rewards drivers who manage to stay near the front in an abbreviated race while acknowledging that there was not enough racing to justify a full payout.

Points Column 2: 25 % to 50 % distance

When the race covers at least a quarter of its planned distance but does not exceed half the scheduled laps, a slightly expanded scale is used. Points are given to the top nine finishers as follows: 13 points for first place, 10 for second, then 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point down to ninth place. This sliding scale increases the reward for the leaders, but it still reflects the shorter race distance. Drivers outside the top nine receive no points, motivating teams to fight harder for a points‑paying position even in a curtailed event.

Points Column 3: 50 % to 75 % distance

If a Grand Prix reaches the halfway mark but falls short of three‑quarters distance, points are awarded to the top ten finishers on a 19–14–12–10–8–6–4–3–2–1 scale. First place collects 19 points, just six fewer than the standard 25‑point haul. The gap between positions narrows as you move down the order, with tenth place still receiving a single point. This tier acknowledges that most of the race has been completed and rewards drivers accordingly, while still recognising that the full distance was not achieved.

Full points: 75 % and beyond

Once 75 % of the scheduled distance has been completed, full championship points are awarded: 25 points for first, 18 for second, 15 for third, then 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 point down to tenth place. In practice, a race that runs beyond the three‑quarter mark often continues to the end unless it is stopped by extreme circumstances or the time limit is reached. The 2022 Japanese Grand Prix is a good example: heavy rain meant the race was delayed and shortened, but it still ran long enough to meet the 75 % threshold, so the winner received 25 points and the full points scale applied.

No points: Less than two green‑flag laps

The revised regulations also state that no points will be awarded if fewer than two laps are completed at racing speed. This rule was introduced specifically to avoid a repeat of the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix scenario. If circumstances prevent even a brief spell of proper racing, teams and drivers cannot earn championship points from a procession behind the safety car.

How shortened‑race points affect the standings

The sliding‑scale system ensures that championships reflect the proportion of racing that actually took place. Because the points difference between first and second is smaller in a shorter race, the potential impact on the standings is also reduced. Nevertheless, shortened races can still be pivotal.

Example: A 30 % race distance finish

Imagine a Grand Prix is scheduled for 70 laps but heavy rain causes it to be red‑flagged after 21 laps, which represents 30 % of the distance. At least two laps have been completed under green‑flag conditions, so Points Column 2 applies. The race leader receives 13 points instead of 25. Second place earns 10 points instead of 18, and so on down to ninth place. Compared with a normal race, the winner loses 12 points, which could be decisive in a close championship battle. On the other hand, drivers who might not usually score points have a better chance of finishing in the top nine and collecting a small reward.

Example: Half‑distance race

Suppose a Grand Prix is stopped after 40 laps out of 80 due to an accident that damages the barriers, and there is not enough time to repair them. The race has passed the halfway mark but not the 75 % threshold, so Points Column 3 is used. The winner receives 19 points, second place gets 14, and points are awarded down to tenth place. The reduced spread between positions means the championship leader will not pull as far ahead of rivals as in a full race. However, those extra points are still valuable when added to the season total.

Constructors’ implications

The same points scale is used for both Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. In a shortened race, the reward for a one‑two finish is reduced, which can have a significant impact on the constructors’ standings. Teams on the edge of the top ten might take strategic risks to sneak into a points‑paying position, especially when the field is condensed because the race distance is shortened. A mid‑table team that manages to place both drivers in the top nine during a Points Column 2 scenario can score more than one of the leading teams if the leaders retire or finish lower than expected.

Historical perspective

Pre‑2003 half‑points races

For most of Formula 1’s history there were only two scoring scenarios: full points or half points. The half‑points rule was originally introduced in the 1950s to deal with early stoppages. Memorable examples include the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix, which was stopped after 29 laps following a crash that damaged the barriers, and the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix mentioned earlier. In those cases the winner received half of the normal points: 4.5 points in a nine‑point system or 4.5 out of 9, depending on the era.

From 2003 to 2021

The points system changed in 2003 to reward the top eight finishers, but the half‑points rule remained. When the Malaysian Grand Prix was halted after heavy rain in 2009, drivers received half points based on the new 10‑8‑6‑5‑4‑3‑2‑1 scale. Half points were again given at the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix after a red flag and long delay, and of course at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix.

Introduction of the sliding scale (2022)

The outcry after Spa 2021 forced the FIA to revisit the rules. After consultation with teams and drivers, the sporting regulations were updated ahead of the 2022 season. The sliding scale not only makes the distribution of points more proportional to race distance, but also prevents points being awarded when there has been no genuine racing. In 2022 there were no shortened races under the new rules, but the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix inadvertently tested the system: many fans believed the race had not reached the 75 % threshold, yet full points were awarded. This was because, under the revised counting method, the race distance included laps completed after the start but before the red flag, and combined with the resumed race length it exceeded 75 %.

Since then, the system has been applied consistently and has been widely accepted as a fair solution. It still encourages teams and drivers to push hard even in challenging conditions, but it also reduces the chance of a title being decided by a lottery in a one‑lap safety‑car sprint.

Strategic considerations for teams and drivers

Qualifying and starting position

When severe weather is forecast for race day, qualifying becomes even more crucial. Because shortened races reward the top positions but compress the points difference, starting on the front row offers insurance against unexpected red flags. Drivers who qualify poorly may find themselves unable to recover if the race ends before they can climb through the field. In such situations teams may opt for aggressive qualifying strategies, sacrificing race‑day setup in favour of grid position.

Early‑race aggression versus caution

In a normal race, teams balance tyre conservation with outright pace, knowing there is time to strategise and recover from setbacks. But if there is a threat of rain or a looming time limit, the incentive to gain places early increases. Leading drivers may push harder to build a gap in case the race is suspended. Midfield teams might roll the dice on early pit stops or gamble on slick tyres when the track is drying. At the same time, they must avoid incidents that could put them out of the race entirely. The sliding scale means that a small points haul is still better than none, so finishing becomes more valuable relative to risking everything for victory.

Constructors’ strategy and resource allocation

A shortened race can compress the field, giving midfield teams a chance to score unexpected points. Over a 24‑race season, these bonus points can lift a team several places in the constructors’ standings and unlock additional prize money. As a result, some teams might tailor their car setup or development direction to perform better in variable conditions, anticipating that at least one or two races per year will be affected by weather. Others might allocate more simulator time to wet‑weather setups or rehearse unusual strategies such as double‑stack pit stops that can leapfrog rivals in chaotic circumstances.

The future of the shortened‑race points system

The sliding‑scale system represents a compromise between fairness and simplicity. It recognises that completing half a race is not the same as completing three‑quarters, and it prevents the farce of awarding points when there has been no racing. Looking ahead, Formula 1 officials may revisit the exact points values or thresholds based on feedback and practical experience. For example, some commentators have suggested awarding points only if at least one pit stop has been made, thereby ensuring that strategic elements influence the outcome. Others have floated the idea of awarding a small number of points for pole position when races are shortened, compensating drivers who excel in qualifying but cannot prove themselves on Sunday.

Any future changes will need to balance the desire for sporting fairness with the need for clear, understandable rules. The current system has been in place since 2022 and has been used infrequently, which suggests it is working as intended. Nevertheless, as weather patterns become more extreme and the calendar expands to new venues, Formula 1 may encounter more scenarios that test the robustness of the rulebook.

Conclusion

Modern Formula 1 places a premium on consistency, reliability and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. When races are cut short by forces beyond the teams’ control, the championship still needs a fair method to allocate points. The sliding‑scale system introduced in 2022 addresses the shortcomings of the old half‑points rule by tying the points award to the proportion of the race completed under green‑flag conditions. It ensures that no driver can earn a huge reward from a handful of laps behind the safety car, while still recognising the effort expended by teams and drivers up to the moment the race is called off.

Understanding how standings are calculated in shortened races adds depth to the viewing experience. Fans can appreciate the strategic urgency of early laps when heavy rain looms, and they can see how a mid‑season downpour might tighten a championship battle. For teams and drivers, the rule provides clarity and emphasises the importance of performing at every moment, because you never know when the chequered flag might be waved. As you follow the next race weekend, keep one eye on the clouds and the other on the percentage lap counter—because in Formula 1, every lap counts.