Why is Vettel leading?

[rmassart]

According to the official F1 Vettel is now first and Hamilton second even though they both have 43 points, but Hamilton has two poles. I am curious, how are drivers placed when on equal points?

[Andy B]

Good question and we can't ask Bernie anymore!

[Alianora La Canta]

Short version: because Vettel won first.

Long version: the tables for the F1 championship are sorted thus:

1) Points. More points have priority over fewer points. This one's intuitive.

2) If two drivers have the same points, the best finish is taken. This works even for positions that don't award points. A win is obviously higher priority than a 2nd, and a peak of 12th has priority over a peak of 13th.

3) If two drivers' best result is the same, the number of times this was achieved are considered. A points score achieved via two wins and a DNF will defeat one scored using one win, one 3rd and one 5th. The exception is if it is the end of the season and the championship winner will be one of the drivers who is in the tie; then the FIA has discretion as to how to award the championship if steps 1) and 2) do not decide the matter, up to and including declaring joint champions if they choose.

4) If two drivers' best result was achieved the same number of times, whoever got the first of their best results earlier gets priority. A win in the first race of the season has priority over a win in the second race of the season, which is why Vettel is leading the championship at this point.

[rmassart]

Thanks for that. I  find the final rule strange:

A win in the first race of the season has priority over a win in the second race of the season, which is why Vettel is leading the championship at this point.

I suppose it will never come to this, but it means not all races are equal. I would have thought the number of poles to be more important than who won first.

[Alianora La Canta]

If poles ever become directly worth points (as they are in WEC, for example), they would be deemed more important than who won first. However, that's not how the FIA perceives F1, so qualifying doesn't get points and therefore does not receive any kind of significance in terms of championship ranking.

[cosworth151]

Thanks, Ali. It's great to have your knowledge of the rules here. 

I thought it was because of the basic rule of F1: The driver of a red car with a prancing horse shall always be favored over any other driver.

[rmassart]

I reckon if they come alternating first and second for the whole season, they should have a playoff! Or they could draw lots as happened once in the World Cup - 1990 I think it was...

[Scott]

Thanks, Ali. It's great to have your knowledge of the rules here. 

I thought it was because of the basic rule of F1: The driver of a red car with a prancing horse shall always be favored over any other driver.

 

[Alianora La Canta]

I thought it was because of the basic rule of F1: The driver of a red car with a prancing horse shall always be favored over any other driver.

The FIA can use that if it pleases if a Ferrari and non-Ferrari driver tie for the championship. However, I think the real Ferrari favouritism comes rather earlier, when Ferrari are get a large lump sum for competing, half of which is top-sliced before even the Constructors' Championship Bonus payouts (from which Ferrari also receives some funding).

[Andy B]

I thought it was because of the basic rule of F1: The driver of a red car with a prancing horse shall always be favored over any other driver.

The FIA can use that if it pleases if a Ferrari and non-Ferrari driver tie for the championship. However, I think the real Ferrari favouritism comes rather earlier, when Ferrari are get a large lump sum for competing, half of which is top-sliced before even the Constructors' Championship Bonus payouts (from which Ferrari also receives some funding).

Which "under new management" I hope will stop.

[Alianora La Canta]

Which "under new management" I hope will stop.

Perhaps in 2020, when the current contracts for payouts expire.