How Allocation of Points for Formula 1 Works: A Beginner’s Guide

In the past several months, a proposal to expand the points system was presented to the Formula 1 Committee. Put forward by one of the F1’s competing teams, the proposal suggests moving positions from 10 to 12. 

The Formula 1 Committee that consists of the F1 representatives, holders of the commercial rights to the sport, its governing body FIA, and ten teams currently on the grid, has put it on the agenda, but the matter will need an extensive discussion before it is taken any further. 

While the authorities are considering the pros and cons of the proposal, let’s take a look at how the system for counting points for Formula 1 has developed throughout the years.

Points are accumulated by the drivers and the teams, also known as constructors. Each team has two drivers, and they both collect points for themselves and the team. The champions, one individual and one team, are announced at the end of the season based on the total number of points. In case a tie occurs between two drivers or two teams, the candidate with the most wins during the season will get the title.

Accumulating Points for Formula 1: Historical Method

Scoring systems in Formula 1 have changed several times since its foundation. Up until 1961 points were distributed between the first five drivers according to the following system: 8-6-4-3-2. A bonus point was given to the driver who completed the fastest race lap. 

1961 was the first year when the winner would get nine points instead of eight, and sixth place was added to the tally, with one point. This system remained unchanged for a while, until thirty years later, in 1991 the winner got two more additional points, now scoring 10 instead of 8. The other places remained the same, i.e. 6-4-3-2-1. 

Another revision of the scoring system occurred in 2003, when FIA added two more drivers to the winning list, thus making it a total of eight drivers. The scores were allocated as follows: 10–8–6–5–4–3–2–1. 

Accumulating Points for Formula 1:Current System

The current system is based on the top 10 drivers. The allocation of points has also changed significantly and now looks like this: the first place is awarded 25 points, the second place gets 18 points, and places 3 through 10 get 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 points respectively. The driver who completes the fastest lap can still get a bonus point on the condition he finishes the race in top 10.

If a driver decides to change teams during the season, they get to keep their individual points scored up until that point, while the team he is leaving retains the team points accumulated until the driver’s transfer.

Points for F1 Races

Races are where the drivers can accumulate the most points. The current system we described above is applicable to race scoring. Championships for both the drivers and the constructors are awarded based on the highest score received during the season. 

Points for F1 Sprints

In 2021, sprint races were introduced as an additional event. While it ends with a Grand Prix race, the distances are shortened to 100 km in 25 to 30 minutes, which is one third of the traditional race. Pit stops are still allowed, however not mandatory, and the entire event is more dynamic rather than strategic.

The points for sprints are distributed in the following way:

Points for F1 Shortened Races

The rule about shortened races came into force after the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix where due to the prior heavy rainfall the teams were only able to complete one full lap before the race was called off. 

The shortened race is considered 75 per cent or more of the planned distance. In this case, the top ten drivers are awarded full points. In all other cases, the point system will be adjusted according to what percentage of the original distance was covered. However, if the race leader fails to complete at least two laps without a safety car, no points will be awarded at all. 

Here’s how the point allocation works on shortened races depending on the covered distance:

Points for Formula 1 (2 laps, 25 percent of distance)

Points for Formula 1 (25-50 percent of distance)

Points for Formula 1 (25-50 percent of distance)

Accumulating Points for Formula 1: Proposed System

The proposal to change the scoring system one more time for the upcoming season was submitted by one of the Formula 1 teams in late April 2024. Its main idea is to extend the number of winning positions from ten to twelve, correspondingly changing the scores from the 8th place down. The proposal is currently under discussion and the final result is yet to be revealed. However, should it be accepted by the Formula 1 Committee, the point allocation will be the following: