F1 Points System — How Championship Points Work

Points are the currency of Formula 1. Every race weekend, drivers and teams accumulate points that determine who lifts the World Championship trophies at the end of the season. The points system has evolved many times since 1950, but the core idea remains the same: finish higher, score more. This guide explains the current system in detail and looks back at how it has changed through the decades.

The Current Points Scale (Grand Prix)

Since the 2010 season, points have been awarded to the top 10 finishers in each Grand Prix as follows:

Drivers finishing 11th or lower score zero points but are still classified in the results provided they complete at least 90% of the race distance.

Fastest Lap Bonus Point

Reintroduced in 2019 after a long absence, the fastest lap point awards one additional point to the driver who sets the fastest lap during the race — but only if that driver finishes in the top 10. This rule prevents a backmarker from pitting late for fresh tyres solely to grab the bonus point without competing for a meaningful position.

The fastest lap point has added a new strategic dimension. In the closing laps of a race, you will often see teams pit a driver who is safely ahead of the car behind to fit fresh soft tyres specifically to claim the fastest lap. A single point might seem trivial, but championships have been decided by margins smaller than that — in 2007, Kimi Räikkönen beat Lewis Hamilton by a single point.

Sprint Race Points

Sprint races, held at selected weekends throughout the season, award a smaller set of points to the top eight finishers:

There is no fastest lap bonus point in sprints. Sprint points count towards both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, so a strong sprint weekend can provide a meaningful advantage. With six sprint weekends per season, a maximum of 48 extra points are available to a driver who wins all six sprints.

Half Points (Shortened Races)

If a race is stopped and cannot be resumed, the number of points awarded depends on how much of the race distance was completed. The current regulations (updated after the controversial 2021 Belgian Grand Prix) specify a sliding scale:

• Less than 25% distance completed: No points awarded.
• 25% to less than 50%: Reduced points awarded (roughly a quarter of full points, rounded).
• 50% to less than 75%: Half points awarded.
• 75% or more: Full points awarded.

These rules ensure that very short races do not distort the championship while still rewarding drivers who were performing well when the race was halted.

Constructors’ Championship Points

Both drivers in a team score points for the Constructors’ Championship using the same scale. The team’s total is simply the sum of both drivers’ points from every race and sprint. The Constructors’ Championship is hugely important financially — a team’s share of F1’s prize money is heavily influenced by their final position in the constructors’ standings. The difference between finishing 4th and 5th in the constructors’ table can be worth tens of millions of pounds.

History of F1 Points Systems

The points system has been revised many times since F1’s inaugural season. Here is a comparison of the major systems used through the decades:

1950s: The Original System

When the World Championship began in 1950, points were awarded to the top five finishers on a scale of 8-6-4-3-2, with a bonus point for fastest lap. Notably, only the best four results counted — a “dropped scores” system designed to mitigate the unreliability of early racing cars. Shared drives were also permitted, meaning two drivers could share points from a single car if one took over from the other during a race.

1960s–1990: The 9-6-4-3-2-1 Era

In 1961, the winner’s points increased from 8 to 9, and sixth place began scoring 1 point. The fastest lap bonus was dropped. The dropped scores system continued in various forms until 1991, meaning a driver’s worst results were discarded. This sometimes led to controversies — most notably in 1988, when Alain Prost scored more total points than Ayrton Senna but lost the championship because only the best 11 results from 16 races counted.

1991–2002: All Results Count

From 1991, all race results counted towards the championship, and the winner received 10 points. This was the era of Michael Schumacher’s dominance, where consistent scoring across every round became paramount. The gap between 1st (10) and 2nd (6) was considered too small by many, as it meant a driver could miss a race entirely and make up the deficit with strong results elsewhere.

2003–2009: Expanded to Eight Finishers

The FIA expanded points to the top eight finishers (10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1) to reward more drivers and make the midfield battles more meaningful. The tighter gap between positions meant that consistency was rewarded even more than outright victories.

2010–Present: The 25-Point Win

The current system was introduced in 2010, dramatically increasing the winner’s reward to 25 points and extending scoring to the top 10. The larger gap between 1st (25) and 2nd (18) means that race victories are valued more highly, making aggressive racing and fighting for the win more rewarding than settling for second place.

Why Points Matter Beyond the Championship

Points determine far more than just who wins trophies. Prize money distribution, future budgets, and even team survival can depend on points. Teams that finish higher in the Constructors’ Championship receive a larger share of F1’s commercial revenues, which can be the difference between financial health and crisis for smaller teams. For drivers, points contribute to their market value, contract negotiations, and legacy in the sport’s record books.

Further Reading

• New to F1? Beginner’s Guide
• F1 Rules Explained
• Tyre Strategy Guide
• History of Formula 1
• Points Calculator Tool