Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner believes that the FIA made a mistake while revising the points rules for the 2022 F1 season.
Following the events of the 2021 Belgian GP, the FIA decided to revise the points system in shortened races.
Japanese GP race winner Max Verstappen completed 28 laps which is more than 50% and less than 75% of the distance. It was believed in the paddock that the Dutchman would not be awarded full points.
However, he was given 25 points, and following Charles Leclerc’s time penalty that demoted him to P3, Verstappen was crowned the 2022 world champion.
It turned out that the rules would be applied only in case the race was not resumed.
“I think it’s a mistake,” Horner commented on the matter.
“I think it’s a mistake that wasn’t included after the issues in Spa last year, that the regulations obviously haven’t been mopped up.
“We were under the strong impression that only with 75% of the race, full points will be scored. So we felt we were going to be one point short.
“But in the end, Checo’s move on Charles nailed Max the championship. So you can see his surprise, the team’s surprise. But what a wonderful surprise.”
