Williams technical chief Paddy Lowe backs top 20 F1 scoring idea
Formula 1 chiefs' recent suggestion that points should be extended beyond the top 10 has been backed by Williams chief technical officer Paddy Lowe
The prospect of points going down to 15th or even being awarded to the full 20-car field was discussed by the F1 organisation earlier this year.
Williams achieved its first double points finish of 2018 at the recent Italian Grand Prix, following Romain Grosjean's exclusion.
Lowe feels that with F1 teams' reliability having improved so much in recent years, the top 10 system is no longer adequate.
"It does actually bring to mind this suggestion that FOM have made to change the points table," Lowe told Autosport.
"I believe it was received quite positively.
"I think with the way the sport has developed now, the points system feels a little bit lopsided.
"Points for the top 15 or all 20 would be good."
Supporters of a change believe it would give extra meaning to battles outside the top 10 at a time when the first six places are invariably secured by the three same teams.
It would also encourage top runners who have been delayed to carry on racing.
In the recent Belgian GP Daniel Ricciardo went two laps down after a rear wing change following the first-corner crash, but his car retired soon after half distance when Red Bull accepted that he was not going to make the points.
Lowe cited the frustration in the Williams camp, where drivers Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin have regularly earned double finishes in the 12th to 17th place range.
"One of the things we've achieved this year is we've actually got two cars home much more reliably than many of our competitors, and got not reward for it," he argued.
"For the team, the guys that work all the long hours, whether the car is quick or slow, they just have to make sure it doesn't break down. And they get nothing for it.
"I think it will really encourage everybody [to widen the scoring].
"It's not just the people at the circuit, but hundreds of people back at base, and sometimes it's difficult.
"It's a tough job and these points of encouragement can do wonders for people's motivation."
Formula 1 needs 'fairer' system for young drivers - Pierre Gasly
Third cars for guest drivers would boost Formula 1 - Mario Andretti
The five factors behind Sainz winning a British GP he’d twice lost
Formula 1 has a newest race winner, in a grand prix the victor appeared to have lost twice, only to charge back to headline a sensational and dramatic British Grand Prix. From a massive start crash to a late sprint finish, here’s how five factors saw Carlos Sainz take his maiden grand prix win
Why there was no case to answer in Aston’s latest F1 copycat saga
The appearance of a revised Aston Martin in Spain caused controversy but PAT SYMONDS explains why the FIA investigation found the Silverstone team had no case to answer
Why it's Red Bull that really leads a three-way fight so far at Silverstone
After a slow start to Friday at Silverstone, all the Formula 1 teams had to effectively cram in a day’s worth of practice into one hour. But there was still plenty to learn and while Ferrari topped the times, a three-way battle is brewing ahead of the British Grand Prix
Why the future is bright for the British GP
It wasn’t so long ago the situation looked bleak at Silverstone with the future of the British Grand Prix under threat. But a transformation has seen it restored to one of the most important races on the Formula 1 calendar, with bigger and better to come
Could mixed fortunes for F1's leading Brits turn around at Silverstone?
For the first time in many years, none of the local racers starts among the favourites for the British Grand Prix. But George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris could have reasons for optimism
Verstappen exclusive: Why F1’s champion isn’t fazed by Silverstone return
Max Verstappen is the world’s number one racing driver… and he’s determined to keep it that way. Speaking exclusively to GP Racing's OLEG KARPOV, the Red Bull driver explains why he’s relishing the 2022 championship battle with Charles Leclerc – and why he’s not worried about returning to Silverstone, the scene of the biggest accident of his career last year
Why Red Bull’s RB17 hypercar can help its F1 team
On Tuesday, Red Bull laid out its plans to develop and build a new hypercar - the RB17 - penned by Adrian Newey. As the project itself sates Newey as a creative outlet, it also offers Red Bull's Formula 1 team a number of new and exciting avenues to pursue
What to expect from Mercedes as F1 returns to Silverstone
OPINION: The British Grand Prix is a home event for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, with their Mercedes team based just a few miles away too. But there’s another reason why the Silver Arrows squad is eager to arrive at Silverstone this weekend, which may help it fix its remaining problems with its 2022 Formula 1 challenger