Formula 1 awards championship points to drivers and teams at every Grand Prix, and the rules are simpler than they first look. Here is how the F1 points system works in 2026, from race scoring to sprint points and tiebreakers.
How many points do drivers get in a race?
The top ten finishers in a Grand Prix score points. The scale runs 25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 from first place down to tenth. A driver finishing 11th or lower scores nothing. The same scoring has been used since 2010, and the 2026 season did not change it.
How do sprint points work?
Sprint races are shorter events of about 100 kilometres, held at six of the 24 race weekends in 2026. Only the top eight finishers score, with 8 points for the winner, then 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 for eighth place. Sprint weekends are therefore worth extra points to the drivers and teams who perform well.
Is there a point for the fastest lap?
Not any more. The extra point for the fastest lap was abolished from 2025 onwards. This means the maximum a driver can take from a Grand Prix is 25 points, and a team’s two cars can score at most 43 points in a race.
Two championships, one points table
Formula 1 runs two championships at the same time. The Drivers’ Championship counts the points each driver earns individually. The Constructors’ Championship adds up the points scored by both cars of each team. A team can therefore still score well even if its drivers finish on different parts of the podium.
What happens if drivers tie on points?
If drivers finish the season level on points, the driver with the most wins takes the higher position. If they still cannot be separated, the next-best finishes are compared. This is why a win carries so much weight even when the points gap looks small.
Why the points system matters
The scoring rewards both winning and consistency. A driver who finishes in the points every weekend can stay in the title fight even without many wins, while a driver who wins often but retires regularly can fall behind. Keep an eye on sprint weekends, because the extra points can shift the standings quickly.
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