FIA Alters F1 Rain Rules And Refuses To Increase Number Of Sprints

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said on Monday it had changed a wet-weather rule that helped Max Verstappen snatch last season's Formula One title and had dialled back plans for six 'sprint' qualifiers. The FIA made its announcement after a meeting of its commission and its newly-elected FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem with Formula One teams in London. The FIA said in a statement that there had been "detailed discussions" of a second controversy, at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.

Lewis Hamilton was poised to capture a record-breaking eighth world title in December before a controversial safety car restart allowed Verstappen to pass on the last lap.

"Feedback from the commission on matters raised will be incorporated into the president's analysis and he will publicly present news of structural changes and action plan in the coming days," said the FIA.

The FIA did address an earlier controversy at the Belgian Grand Prix in August. Verstappen was declared the winner and awarded half the points for a victory, even though the race was cancelled because of heavy rain.

The FIA said it had approved changes to rules for weather-affected races.

"No points will be awarded unless a minimum of two laps have been completed by the leader without a Safety Car and/or Virtual Safety Car intervention," said the statement.

It has introduced a progressive points system based on the percentage of the planned distance covered.

If the cars have raced less than 25 per cent of the distance, the winner will get six points and the next four cars will collect four, three, two and one points.

If the race was between 25 per cent and 50 per cent complete, "the winner will get 13 points (then 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 for the