FIA to address regulations after Verstappen championship confusion

Change your timezone:
FIA to address regulations after Verstappen championship confusion
Drivers and fans were left unsure over whether Verstappen had clinched the championship in Japan
The FIA has confirmed it will revisit the "wording of the regulations" after confusion marred Max Verstappen's crowning as a double F1 world champion.
The Dutchman dominated the Japanese Grand Prix in a race that was shortened to a 40-minute sprint following a lengthy rain delay of over two hours.
With the event not reaching 75 per cent race distance, it was assumed that, as per regulations, only a portion of the points would be allocated at the end of the race and that Verstappen was a point short of being confirmed as champion.
But a quirk in the wording of the regulations meant that as the race finished under green flag conditions, full points would be awarded and thus ensuring that, after a penalty was applied to Charles Leclerc, the Red Bull driver's second title was sealed.
READ: FIA announces raft of procedural changes after Japanese GP crane controversy
After the confusion and the recovery vehicle controversy on the initial race start, at Suzuka, the FIA launches a far-reaching review into the procedures undertaken throughout the event.
A review led to a number of measures being taken and addressing the points situation, a statement read: "At the Japanese Grand Prix, Article 6.5 of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations which covers race time limit and points distribution was applied correctly.
"However, the wording of the regulations will be revisited with a view to bringing further clarity during the next review of the Sporting Regulations."
Related
More F1 news
Latest F1 news
Recommended by the editors
Latest F1 News
F1 loses big as ‘$200m’ cost of 2026 race cancellations revealed
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton FINALLY broke F1 podium curse, and Ferrari kit is already selling out
Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton podium isn't to be celebrated as Ferrari should be worried
F1 Stats
Youngest F1 race winners: All-time list as Kimi Antonelli joins the hall of fame

Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 loses big as ‘$200m’ cost of 2026 race cancellations revealed
- 38 minutes ago
Lewis Hamilton's team-mate says new regulations have blunted his biggest weapon
- 1 hour ago
Aston Martin and Adrian Newey given massive F1 lifeline after terrible 2026 start
- 2 hours ago
Lewis Hamilton FINALLY broke F1 podium curse, and Ferrari kit is already selling out
- 3 hours ago
'Sherlock Holmes' - Lewis Hamilton given new nickname by Toto Wolff
- Today 10:57
Aston Martin F1 star says ‘NO’ to everything in painful nine-word interview at Chinese Grand Prix
- Today 09:57
Most read
Lewis Hamilton Chinese GP disqualification a watershed moment for Ferrari
- 14 march
FIA announce late Mercedes penalty verdict after front row lockout at Australian Grand Prix
- 7 march
F1 News Today: Adrian Newey in firing line as Aston Martin may deliberately DNF
- 3 march
F1 Qualifying Results: Australian Grand Prix times and positions - Verstappen crashes out, Russell dominates
- 7 march
FIA announce Mercedes penalty verdict after Chinese Grand Prix incident
- 13 march
Mercedes F1 star slapped with FIA penalty at Chinese GP
- 14 march
Related news
FIA director exposes F1 teams for 'secretive' 2026 preparations
FIA issue new health guidelines for F1 stars
Mercedes F1 star Russell in FIA 'fight' claim
FIA admit 'clear F1 issue' as major race change up for debate
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Lewis Hamilton
- Charles Leclerc
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Franco Colapinto
- Pierre Gasly
- Isack Hadjar
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Carlos Sainz
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli
- George Russell
- Oliver Bearman
- Esteban Ocon
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Liam Lawson
- Arvid Lindblad
- Gabriel Bortoleto
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Valtteri Bottas
- Sergio Pérez
Races
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2026
-
Grand Prix of China 2026
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Bahrain 2026
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026
-
Miami Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2026
-
Grand Prix De Monaco 2026
-
Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2026
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2026
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2026
-
Dutch Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2026
-
Gran Premio de España 2026
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2026
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2026
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2026
-
Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2026
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2026
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Editorial & corporate information
Avenue HQ
10–12 East Parade
Leeds
LS1 2BH
United Kingdom Regional correspondence
View contact page
Realtimes Network
- Authors
- Privacy and Terms
- RSS
- Contact
- Advertise
- Android
- iOS
- Publishing principles
- Corrections policy
- Ownership & funding
- F1 Tickets
- Privacy
Copyright (©) 2017 - 2026 GPFans.com
Realtimes Network












