Formula 1 can look complex from the outside, but the scoring is straightforward once you know the basics. Here’s how a season is decided.
Two Championships
Every season crowns two champions: the Drivers’ Championship (the individual with the most points) and the Constructors’ Championship (the team whose two cars score the most points combined). Prize money and prestige flow from both.
How Race Points Work
Points are awarded to the top 10 finishers in each Grand Prix:
- 1st: 25 · 2nd: 18 · 3rd: 15 · 4th: 12 · 5th: 10
- 6th: 8 · 7th: 6 · 8th: 4 · 9th: 2 · 10th: 1
Sprint Races
At selected events, a shorter Sprint race awards extra points to its top eight finishers, adding another opportunity to score over a weekend.
Winning the Title
Points accumulate across every round of the calendar. Whoever has the most at the end of the final Grand Prix wins — consistency over a long season usually matters as much as outright race wins.
