F1 Points System Explained

Formula 1's points system has undergone a number of changes since its inaugural season in 1950.

The current points system was first implemented in 2010 and has remain unchanged since, though there are now more points on offer across a campaign with the introduction of sprint races in 2021.

Points ultimately determine who will win the Drivers' Championship and Constructors' Championship as drivers accumulate them over a season.

Without further ado, here's everything you need to know about the points system in F1.

Formula 1 points system

F1 has adopted a 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 model, in which the first 10 drivers to finish all receive points. Prior to 2010, only the first eight drivers would receive points before the FIA opted to revise this structure.

The winner of an Grand Prix is awarded 25 points, while the driver in second receives 18 points and the final podium spot claims 15 points.

Drivers that finish outside of the top 10 do not receive any points.

Position	Points
1st	25
2nd	18
3rd	15
4th	12
5th	10
6th	8
7th	6
8th	4
9th	2
10th	1

Formula 1 sprint race points system

Sprint races were introduced to F1 in 2021 and provide an additional opportunity for drivers to improve their points totals.

An F1 sprint is essentially a short race which covers 100km, which is roughly one-third of a typical Grand Prix distance. As such, the number of points on offer is reduced.

In 2024, the F1 calendar consists of six sprint races. Only the top eight drivers are awarded points in a sprint race, with the winner claiming eight points.

Position	Points
1st	8
2nd	7
3rd	6
4th	5
5th	4
6th	3
7th	2
8th	1

Formula 1 shortened race points criteria

In the event that an F1 Grand Prix cannot be completed, the FIA's gradual scale system will come into effect.

The system was introduced following confusion at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix where half points were awarded to the first ten finishers despite no racing laps being completed.

In 2023, the FIA outlined that shortened races will be the subject of the gradual scale system, which is as follows.

Less than two full racing laps

• No points awarded

Between two racing laps and less than 25% of the full race distance

1. 6 points
2. 4 points
3. 3 points
4. 2 points
5. 1 point

Between 25% and less than 50% of the full race distance

1. 13 points
2. 10 points
3. 8 points
4. 6 points
5. 5 points
6. 4 points
7. 3 points
8. 2 points
9. 1 point

Between 50% and less than 75% of the full race distance

1. 19 points
2. 14 points
3. 12 points
4. 10 points
5. 8 points
6. 6 points
7. 4 points
8. 3 points
9. 2 points
10. 1 point

75% or more of the full race distance

• Standard points awarded

How are points in the Constructors' Championship calculated?

Points for the Constructors' Championship are calculated by adding the total number of points from each driver on the same team.

The team with the most points at the end of the season is crowned Constructors' champions.

Do Formula 1 drivers receive points for qualifying?

Drivers do not receive points for qualifying. However, qualifying remains a pivotal part of the Grand Prix weekend, as it determines where the driver will start the race on a Sunday.

On a sprint weekend, qualifying for the sprint race is conducted separately on a Friday. Again, there are no points on offer in sprint qualifying.

Do Formula 1 drivers receive points for the fastest lap?

Yes, the driver who posts the fastest lap of the race will receive a bonus point. However, they must finish in the top 10 to receive the additional point.

If the driver who records the fastest lap is not in the top 10, no bonus point is awarded.

What is the Formula 1 points fee?

One of the conditions of the Concorde Agreement, which is a contract between F1, the FIA and competitors, stipulates all teams must pay an entry fee each year.

With a base fee set at $657,837 (£521,691), teams must also pay a premium of $6,575 (£5,214) per point they earned in the previous season.

The Constructors' Championship winners are hit the hardest. In 2024, Red Bull were forced to pay substantially more per point than their rivals, forking out $7,893 (£6,259) for each of the 860 points they had accumulated in 2023.

F1 Drivers' Championship points record

Max Verstappen set the record for most points in an individual F1 season as he accumulated 575 points in the 2023 season.

The Red Bull driver was indomitable as he won over 92% of the maximum points on offer, winning 19 of the 22 races.

F1 Constructors' Championship points record

Red Bull obliterated the previous points record set by Mercedes in 2016 when they amassed 860 points in the 2023 season.

Only Carlos Sainz's victory at the Singapore Grand Prix prevented Red Bull from completing a clean sweep of victories across the campaign.