What Is The 75% Rule In F1?

In F1, the 75% rule refers to the minimum race distance that must be completed for full points to be awarded. If a race is stopped before 75% of the scheduled distance is completed, then a reduced points system is used.

According to the current F1 sporting regulations, the points awarded depend on what percentage of the race distance was completed before the race ended:

• If less than 25% of the scheduled race distance was completed, no points are awarded
• If between 25% and 50% of the distance was completed, points are awarded on a 6-4-3-2-1 scale to the top 5 finishers
• If between 50% and 75% of the distance was completed, points are awarded to the top 10 finishers on a 19-14-12-10-8-6-4-3-2-1 scale
• If 75% or more of the race distance was completed, then full points are awarded to the top 10 finishers on the standard 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 scale

These rules were updated in 2022 to avoid a repeat of the controversial 2021 Belgian Grand Prix, where full points were awarded despite only a few laps being completed behind the safety car due to heavy rain. The 75% rule helps ensure points are awarded fairly based on how much of the race was actually completed under green flag conditions.

Historical context

The 75% rule has come into play in several notable F1 races throughout history. For example, in the 1991 Australian Grand Prix, the race was stopped after 14 laps due to heavy rain, and half points were awarded since less than 75% of the race distance had been completed. Similarly, in the 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix, the race was stopped after 31 laps due to a torrential downpour, and half points were awarded as well.

These instances demonstrate how the 75% rule has been a longstanding part of F1 regulations, ensuring that points are awarded fairly based on the conditions and the amount of racing completed. The rule has undergone some modifications over the years, but its core principle remains the same.

Comparison to other motorsports

Other racing series have different approaches to handling shortened races and points allocation. For example, in NASCAR, if a race is past the halfway point and cannot continue due to weather or other factors, the race is considered official, and full points are awarded based on the running order at the time of the red flag.

In IndyCar, the rules are more similar to F1. If a race is stopped before the completion of 50% of the scheduled distance or time, half points are awarded. If the race is stopped after 50% but before 75%, full points are awarded. However, if the race is stopped after 75% of the scheduled distance or time, the race is considered complete, and full points are awarded based on the finishing order.

Driver and team perspectives

F1 drivers and team principals have varied opinions on the 75% rule and its impact on racing. Some drivers, like Lewis Hamilton, have expressed frustration with the rule, especially in cases where they feel a race could have been restarted safely. After the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix, Hamilton criticized the decision to award points for a race that lasted only a few laps behind the safety car, calling it a “farce.”

On the other hand, some team principals, such as Toto Wolff of Mercedes, have supported the rule, stating that it provides a fair way to award points when a race cannot be completed in full. Wolff emphasized that the rule helps to maintain the integrity of the championship and prevents teams from gaining an unfair advantage due to shortened races.