FIA considering penalty points system for 2013

The FIA have confirmed they are considering a penalty points system for 2013, which would be similar to the points system on road licenses whereby accumulating too many points would see the driver in question incur a race ban. This comes after questionable driving from many drivers this season, most notably Romain Grosjean.

At the start of the Belgian Grand Prix in September, Romain Grosjean was the catalyst in a huge multi-car incident as the field negotiated the tight La Source hairpin at Turn 1. This resulted in Championship contenders Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton both retiring, with the former very lucky not to be struck on the head by Grosjean’s out-of-control Lotus. With this incident not being the first, nor the last, of Grosjean’s infamous opening lap incidences, the FIA decided to impose a one race ban upon the Frenchman.

Despite being involved in another opening lap incident at the Japanese Grand Prix with Mark Webber, Romain Grosjean has unquestionably become more cautious at the start of races. However, with many other drivers causing various incidences over the due course of the season, the FIA have confirmed they are considering a points system which would see drivers penalized for continuous bad behavior.

"We would like to see a system, and indeed we could discuss it with the teams next Wednesday in Brazil, similar to the sort of thing you have with your road license where you will accumulate points on your Super License," explained race director Charlie Whiting to AutoSport. “If you get to 12 points, or whatever it is, you will have a race [ban]. That’s the sort of thing we will discuss."

There is currently no penalty system for repeat offenses on track in Formula 1, apart from a driver potentially incurring a 10-place grid penalty for being issued three reprimands in one season. This potential change in the penalty system could well change that fact, and reform what is unarguably an inconsistent penalty system currently in operation in Formula 1.

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