Immediately after the Suzuka race, F1 experienced a surreal moment when, even with the suspension of Charles Leclerc, it was not clear whether the title was mathematically for Verstappen .
It was widely believed by many teams, including Red Bull itself, that the new scoring rules introduced after the embarrassing 2021 Belgian Grand Prix meant that Verstappen would not receive full points for his victory, as no further racing had taken place. 75% of the laps.
However, with a strict interpretation of the F1 Sporting Regulations, the FIA considered that all the points had to be distributed, since the race had not been suspended and had finished with a checkered flag on the track.
That made Verstappen proclaimed champion, something that also caught the Dutchman by surprise.
But while the FIA’s position has been clear since the end of the race, several teams have admitted that the current interpretation of the regulations – which were agreed after last year’s Spa farce – was not what was intended.
Speaking of the confusion over the regulations, Horner said: “I think it’s a mistake.”
“I think it’s a mistake that that assumption wasn’t included after the problems at Spa last year. That the regulations obviously haven’t been clarified.”
“We were under the strong impression that only 75% of the distance traveled would add up all the points. So we thought we were going to be one point short.”
“But in the end, Checo’s maneuver on Charles gave Max the championship. So you saw his and the team’s surprise. But what a wonderful surprise.”
Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto , who saw Leclerc’s last chances for the title evaporate with the interpretation of the points, admitted that his team did not know how things were going to be managed.
“We were confused, and we thought that not all the points would be awarded,” he said. “So initially our calculations were that he wasn’t world champion yet.”
“In the end, a clarification has been given which is fine. So I think you just have to accept it. It’s like that. He’s world champion. It’s pretty clear.”
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McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl backed the view that the changes made to the regulations last winter were never intended to award full points in races that were not completed.
“In the end, the way the points were awarded this Sunday was not what we all had in mind,” he said. “That was not the intention of the FIA or the teams.”
“But in the end, it seems that we all overlooked that loophole in the regulations, and therefore we are all responsible for it. It means that we should try to do a better job together next time.”
Horner did not doubt that the teams will talk to the FIA to review the rule for the future.
“I’m sure it will be done,” he said.
Binotto said it was something he would like to see done so that Ferrari understands him better.
“I have to double check with our guys: what was the intent, and what was the conclusion and the way it was written and interpreted compared to the intent,” he said.
“It’s a detail, and it’s something that we have to clarify also for the future as to what is the real intention, what should be done and is it clear enough. But I’m not too worried, I’m not too disappointed about it.”
“I accept the way the FIA has interpreted it, and we’re going to review it, we’re going to have a chat, but I’m not going to come to any conclusion today on that.”
With additional reporting by Adam Cooper and Luke Smith
