Why the Formula One Incomplete Race Points System Affected the Belgian Grand Prix

The 2025 Belgian Grand Prix saw a massive delay at Spa-Francorchamps before the race could properly begin. Heavy rain and almost zero visibility forced a red‑flagged, pushing back the race by 80 minutes and leading to multiple laps behind the safety car before any real racing began. Drivers like Max Verstappen criticized the delay, calling it over-cautious, but others, including George Russell, supported the FIA’s decision, pointing to Spa’s tragic wet weather history. This situation brought back memories of the notorious 2021 Belgian Grand Prix, when the race ran only two laps behind the safety car before being abandoned, triggering controversy and prompting regulation changes. In that 2021 Belgian GP, no green‑flag racing occurred, only formation laps followed by two laps behind the safety car. Despite this, half points were awarded based on the old rule that less than 75% race distance but more than two laps still gave half the standard points. That situation sparked intense debate about fairness and led the FIA to drastically revise the points system, moving to a more graduated scale in 2022 to avoid repeating the controversy.

Here’s how the new incomplete race points system works. There will be no points awarded if the leader completes less than two racing laps without safety-car or VSC interference. If at least two racing laps are completed but less than 25% of the scheduled distance, only the top five drivers earn points. If 25% to less than 50% is covered, the top nine get points. If 50% to less than 75% is reached, the top 10 take points on a diminished scale. If 75% or more is completed, full standard points are awarded.

This new points system is designed to be fairer than the old half-points model. It reduces extreme outcomes, like winning points with almost no racing laps, and rewards more racing distance with more points. It also ensures a more predictable championship impact, giving clarity to drivers and teams in weather-affected events. At Spa 2025, the leader eventually completed enough laps to finish a full race distance, allowing full points to be awarded to the top ten drivers, since more than 75% of the race distance was completed after the delay. Oscar Piastri took the win, followed by Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, and full points were granted. That contrasted sharply with 2021’s criticism over minimal racing before points were handed out. The evolution of the F1 points system now makes sure that races only award points when enough actual racing has taken place, and the amount of points is linked to the race distance covered. This system, introduced after inspiration from Spa 2021, improves fairness and championship integrity. It prevents scenarios where minimal racing yields large point swings and ensures fans, drivers, and teams understand exactly how much racing is needed to score, depending on weather or delays. With Spa 2025 now in the books, the revised rules showed their value and left a safer, more transparent legacy.