Understanding F1 Points: How the Scoring System Works

The Current Points System (2025-Present)

Formula 1 awards points to the top 10 finishers in each Grand Prix according to the following structure, first introduced in 2010 and continuing through 2026:

This system heavily rewards victories-first place earns 39% more points than second (25 vs 18)-incentivizing aggressive racing and risk-taking for wins rather than conservative drives for podiums. The gap between consecutive positions decreases down the order, making every position valuable for midfield teams battling for constructor prize money.

The Fastest Lap Bonus Point (2019-2024)

From 2019 to 2024, Formula 1 awarded 1 additional point for setting the fastest lap of the race, but only if the driver finished in the top 10. This rule was removed starting in 2025 after the FIA determined it added unnecessary complexity without significantly improving racing spectacle.

Why It Was Removed: While the fastest lap point initially created late-race drama with drivers on fresh tires attempting to steal the bonus point, it also led to controversial "spoiler" strategies where teams running outside the top 10 would pit purely to deny rivals the point. The 2021 Abu Dhabi finale epitomized this when Red Bull pitted Sergio Pérez late purely to deny Lewis Hamilton the fastest lap point, despite the championship being decided.

The removal simplifies the points system and eliminates scenarios where backmarker teams influence championship battles through fastest lap interference. Maximum points per race is now 25 points (victory only) at standard weekends, down from the previous 26 points possible.

Sprint Race Points (2021-Present)

Six race weekends per season feature Sprint format, adding a short Saturday race (approximately 100km, one-third Grand Prix distance) that awards points. The current Sprint points structure (introduced for 2024) extends scoring deeper into the field:

Sprint races offer a maximum of 8 points (for victory), meaning the maximum points available across a Sprint weekend is 33 points (8 Sprint + 25 Grand Prix), compared to 25 points at standard race weekends. Over six Sprint weekends, this creates an additional 48 points available compared to standard format, significantly impacting championship battles.

Sprint Race Strategy: Unlike Grand Prix races with mandatory tire changes, Sprint races feature no pit stops (unless damage requires repairs). This creates different racing dynamics-no strategy variation, pure pace and racecraft. Positions rarely change dramatically because track position and slipstream effects dominate when everyone runs identical strategies.

Constructors' Championship Points

Teams score Constructors' Championship points by combining both drivers' race results. If a team's drivers finish 1st and 3rd, the team scores 40 points (25+15). Both drivers' points from race finishes and Sprint races contribute to the constructors' standings.

Financial Implications: Constructors' Championship positions determine prize money distribution, with the champion receiving significantly more than the runner-up. The difference between 3rd and 4th in the championship can represent tens of millions of dollars, making every constructors' point financially crucial for teams.

This dual-driver scoring creates tension when teammates battle for drivers' championship. Team orders-instructing one driver to yield to another-sometimes prioritize constructors' points over individual drivers' championship aspirations, generating controversy when applied (Ferrari's "Fernando is faster than you" order in 2010, or Mercedes' team orders in 2022).

Half Points Rule

When races complete fewer than 75% of scheduled laps due to weather, accidents, or other circumstances, reduced points are awarded according to the distance completed:

• Less than 25% distance completed: No points awarded
• 25-50% distance completed: Half points awarded (1st place: 12.5 points)
• 50-75% distance completed: 75% points awarded
• More than 75% distance completed: Full points awarded

The most infamous application occurred at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix, where torrential rain prevented racing beyond the formation lap. After a three-hour delay, officials sent cars on a two-lap procession behind the safety car to satisfy the "race started" requirement, then declared results based on qualifying order. Max Verstappen "won" and received 12.5 points without completing a single racing lap, generating widespread criticism and rule modifications.

Championship Tiebreaker Rules

If drivers finish the season tied on points, the championship is decided by tiebreakers applied in the following order:

1. Most race wins: The driver with more victories wins the championship
2. Most second-place finishes: If wins are equal, most P2 finishes decides
3. Most third-place finishes: Continue down through P3, P4, etc.
4. Best finish in final race: If all results are identical, whoever finished higher in the final race wins

These tiebreakers have never decided a World Drivers' Championship in the points-scoring era (since 1950), though they determined placings within seasons. The closest scenario occurred in 1984 when Niki Lauda beat Alain Prost by half a point (before fastest lap points existed), avoiding tiebreak rules entirely.

Constructors' Championship Tiebreakers: Similar rules apply to teams, though the tiebreaker is most wins by either team driver. If Mercedes and Ferrari tied on points, whichever team had more victories (combining both drivers' wins) would claim the championship.

Historical Points Systems

Formula 1 has employed numerous points systems since the World Championship's 1950 inception, reflecting evolving philosophies about rewarding consistency versus victories.

1950-1959: The Original System

The inaugural system awarded 8-6-4-3-2 points for the top five finishers, plus 1 point for fastest lap. Crucially, only a driver's best 4-6 results counted toward the championship, allowing drivers to skip races strategically. This "counting only certain races" approach continued until 1990.

1960-1990: The 9-6-4-3-2-1 Era

In 1960, the system changed to 9-6-4-3-2-1 for the top six finishers, with fastest lap bonus removed (except briefly reinstated 1960-1959). This structure persisted for three decades with variations in how many results counted. By emphasizing victory less (9 points vs 6 for second, only 50% more), the system rewarded consistency over race wins.

1991-2002: 10-6-4-3-2-1 System

A minor adjustment increased the winner's haul to 10 points while maintaining 6 for second, slightly emphasizing victories. All race results now counted toward championships, ending the strategic race-skipping era.

2003-2009: The Expanded 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 System

To reward more drivers and make midfield battles more meaningful, the FIA extended points to 8th place. This created closer championship battles as more consistent drivers could accumulate points even without podiums.

2010-2018: The Modern System Introduction

The current 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 system debuted in 2010, dramatically increasing the victory bonus (25 vs 18, a 39% gap) to incentivize race wins over safe points-scoring. This philosophical shift toward rewarding dominance rather than consistency aimed to produce more aggressive racing.

2019-2024: The Fastest Lap Era

The FIA added a fastest lap bonus point (awarded only to top 10 finishers) from 2019-2024, increasing maximum race points to 26. This experiment was discontinued in 2025 due to controversial "spoiler" tactics and minimal racing benefit.

Points Per Race: Season Maximums

In a typical 24-race season with 6 Sprint weekends, the theoretical maximum points a driver can score (as of 2025 with no fastest lap point) is:

No driver has ever approached this maximum. Max Verstappen's dominant 2023 season produced 575 points from 22 races-an extraordinary 26.1 points per race average despite reliability retirements (note: this was under the old system with fastest lap points). The theoretical maximum exists only if a driver wins every race and every Sprint-a statistically impossible feat even for the most dominant cars.

Championship Points Milestones

All-Time Points Record: Lewis Hamilton has accumulated 4,943.5 career points across 377 races (2007-2025), averaging 13.1 points per race start. Max Verstappen, despite far fewer races (229 starts), already ranks second with 3,196.5 points, averaging an extraordinary 14.0 points per race-the highest points-per-race average in Formula 1 history for drivers with 50+ starts.

Single Season Record: Max Verstappen's 2023 campaign produced 575 points from 22 races, shattering the previous record of 454 points (Verstappen, 2022). This remarkable haul resulted from 19 victories, 21 podiums, and 8 fastest laps in 22 races-historically unprecedented dominance.

2026 Points System: Continuity Confirmed

As of December 2025, the FIA has confirmed the points structure will remain unchanged for the 2026 regulation era. The 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 system for Grands Prix and 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 for Sprint races will continue. The fastest lap bonus point will not return-the FIA considers that experiment concluded.

However, the FIA is actively monitoring Sprint format effectiveness and may adjust Sprint points distribution or frequency based on 2025 season data. The current six Sprint weekends per season may increase or decrease depending on fan reception and team feedback regarding the format's sporting value.

Why Points Structure Matters

Points systems profoundly influence racing philosophy and team strategy. A system rewarding consistency (small gaps between positions) incentivizes conservative racing and reliability. A system emphasizing victories (large gaps favoring wins) encourages aggressive risk-taking and development focused on peak performance rather than reliability.

Formula 1's current structure strikes a balance: victories are heavily rewarded (incentivizing attack), but consistent points-scoring remains valuable for championship contention (rewarding reliability). This dual emphasis creates the strategic complexity that makes Formula 1 compelling-teams must develop fast, reliable cars while drivers must know when to push for victory and when to settle for points.

Understanding the points system transforms race viewing from simply watching who finishes first to appreciating strategic battles across multiple championships: drivers fighting for titles, teammates battling for team supremacy, midfield teams scrapping for constructors' points worth millions in prize money, and backmarkers fighting for their first-ever points. Every position, every point, tells a story-and with the removal of the fastest lap point in 2025, the system is cleaner and more focused on race finishing positions than ever before. That's what makes Formula 1's scoring system the perfect foundation for the world's most complex motorsport championship.