The F1 points system explained

In F1 a driver scores points based on the position they finish the race. The total amount of points over a season determines the outcome of both the drivers' championship and the constructors' championship.

Why a points system?

This section provides the formula 1 definitions for F1 points for each points scoring system that has been used in history. You can view the points awarded for each position including percentages vs the number 1 and vs the previous position. You can find the overview of which points system was used in which year at the bottom. Please note that, in the past, for some seasons additional rules were applied to determine the champion.

Several key elements of the points system are important to understand:
  • Points are awarded to the top finishers in each race: in each grand prix, points are awarded to the top finishers based on their finishing position. The number of points awarded increases with each position, with the winner of the race receiving the most points. This encourages drivers and teams to strive for the best possible results in each race.
  • Consistency is rewarded: the points system rewards consistency, as drivers and teams that consistently finish well in each race can accumulate points over the course of the season. This encourages drivers and teams to focus on achieving consistent results rather than trying to win every race.
  • The championship is decided over the course of the season: the points system is designed to determine the overall winners of the championships throughout the season. This means that drivers and teams need to perform consistently well throughout all races on the calendar in order to win the championship, rather than just winning a few key races.
Overall, the points system in Formula 1 is an important part of the sport, it encourages drivers and teams to aim for the top positions in each race and helps to create a sense of competition and excitement for the fans.

Points definitions and exceptions

In the allocation of the points, the following definitions are applied. The list also contains specific exceptions that can or could (in the past) occur during the race:
  • Classified: a driver needs to be classified (within 90% of the race laps of the winner*) to be eligible for points.
  • Points for fastest lap: some F1 points systems apply points for the fastest lap achieved during the race. In addition, the point systems in place since 2019 also require a driver to be classified in the top 10.
  • Reduced points: uptil the 2022 season, if less than 75% of the race has been completed, halve points will be awarded. Typically these are rain races like Malaysia 2009 and the recent GP of Belgium 2021 where either for safety reasons or GP duration (max 2 hours) the race was stopped. Due to the 2021 Belgium GP, additional rules have been added. The key being that at least 2 laps must be completed without a safety car or else no points will be awarded. In addition, the reduced number of points for shorter races have been split into more categories: >2 laps - <25%, 25% - <50% and from 50% - <75%. The definitions can be found at the bottom of this page.
  • No points: if less than two laps have been completed of a GP, no points will be awarded.
  • Split point: in the early days it was not uncommon for drivers to share the same F1 car in a race. Points would be equally split among them if any driver finished in the points.
  • Split points for fastest lap: in the early days, if multiple drivers recorded the exact same time, the points for the fastest lap were split. This led to extreme cases, for instance in the GP of Great Britain 1954 where 7 drivers had the fastest lap. And were awarded 0.142857 points each. This is no longer the case, the first driver to set the fastest laps is eligible for the points.
  • Double points: by way of experiment in season 2014 the last race awarded double points.
  • Disqualification: all types of disqualifications can also mean points are removed or deducted for either the driver or the constructor or both; depending on the crime and punishment.
  • Sprint points: finally the latest update to points scoring are F1 sprints. The first-time points are awarded outside of the main GP on Sundays.
*the exact definition for classification is: laps >= floor(90% of maximum laps). This definition was introduced from the 1966 season onwards. Disqualifications are excluded.

If a driver switches teams during a season, this does not impact his championship, as all achieved points across teams will be added together. The points for the constructors championship will go to the respective team.

Sprint points

Sprints were introduced in the 2021 season. These are special events only for a limited set of grand prix and award points as well.

How are F1 points awarded?

A driver is awarded points based on his finishing position in the race. Throughout history, in different seasons different points systems have been applied, which you can find in the tables below. Below these, you can find the overview in which season which points system applies.

25 points + f-lap + sprint ext - seasons: 2022 - 2024
PlacePointsPercentage of first placePercentage of previous place (n-1)
    
125100%100%
21872%72%
31560%83%
41248%80%
51040%83%
6832%80%
7624%75%
8416%67%
928%50%
1014%50%
Description: In this point system the top 10 drivers are awarded points in each GP. Starting from 25 till 1. In addition 1 point is awarded for fastest lap if the driver has been classified in the top 10. This point system includes points for sprint with extended points upto place 8 if that data is available for the season.

25 points + f-lap + sprint - seasons: 2021 - 2021
PlacePointsPercentage of first placePercentage of previous place (n-1)
    
125100%100%
21872%72%
31560%83%
41248%80%
51040%83%
6832%80%
7624%75%
8416%67%
928%50%
1014%50%
Description: In this point system the top 10 drivers are awarded points in each GP. Starting from 25 till 1. In addition 1 point is awarded for fastest lap if the driver has been classified in the top 10. This point system includes points for sprint qualification if that data is available for the season.

25 points + fastest lap - seasons: 2019 - 2020
PlacePointsPercentage of first placePercentage of previous place (n-1)
    
125100%100%
21872%72%
31560%83%
41248%80%
51040%83%
6832%80%
7624%75%
8416%67%
928%50%
1014%50%
Description: In this point system the top 10 drivers are awarded points in each GP. Starting from 25 till 1.In addition 1 point is awarded for fastest lap if the driver has been classified in the top 10.

25 points - seasons: 2010 - 2018 excluding season 2014
PlacePointsPercentage of first placePercentage of previous place (n-1)
    
125100%100%
21872%72%
31560%83%
41248%80%
51040%83%
6832%80%
7624%75%
8416%67%
928%50%
1014%50%
Description: In this point system the top 10 drivers are awarded points in each GP. Starting from 25 till 1.

25 points + last GP 2x - seasons: 2014 - 2014
PlacePointsPercentage of first placePercentage of previous place (n-1)
    
125100%100%
21872%72%
31560%83%
41248%80%
51040%83%
6832%80%
7624%75%
8416%67%
928%50%
1014%50%
Description: In this point system the top 10 drivers are awarded points in each GP. Starting from 25 points going down to 1. In addition the points achieved in the last GP of the season are multiplied times two.

10 points extended - seasons: 2003 - 2009
PlacePointsPercentage of first placePercentage of previous place (n-1)
    
110100%100%
2880%80%
3660%75%
4550%83%
5440%80%
6330%75%
7220%67%
8110%50%
Description: In this point system the top 8 drivers are awarded points in each GP. Starting from 10 points going down to 1.

10 points system - seasons: 1991 - 2002
PlacePointsPercentage of first placePercentage of previous place (n-1)
    
110100%100%
2660%60%
3440%67%
4330%75%
5220%67%
6110%50%
Description: In this point system the top 6 drivers are awarded points in each GP. Starting from 10 points going down to 1.

9 points system - seasons: 1961 - 1990
PlacePointsPercentage of first placePercentage of previous place (n-1)
    
19100%100%
2667%67%
3444%67%
4333%75%
5222%67%
6111%50%
Description: In this system the top 6 drivers are awarded points in each GP. Starting from 9 points going down to 1.

8 points extended - seasons: 1960 - 1960
PlacePointsPercentage of first placePercentage of previous place (n-1)
    
18100%100%
2675%75%
3450%67%
4338%75%
5225%67%
6113%50%
Description: In this system the top 6 drivers are awarded points in each GP. Starting from 8 points going down to 1.

8 points + fastest lap - seasons: 1950 - 1959
PlacePointsPercentage of first placePercentage of previous place (n-1)
    
18100%100%
2675%75%
3450%67%
4338%75%
5225%67%
Description: In this system the top 5 drivers are awarded points in each GP. Starting from 8 points going down to 2. And a single point is awarded to the driver that records the fastest lap in the GP.

When did f1 points systems change?

The various points system have been applied for shorter and longer periods in time. You can look-up the exact system for each season below.

F1 points scoring system per year
SeasonPoints system definition
  
202425 points + f-lap + sprint ext
202325 points + f-lap + sprint ext
202225 points + f-lap + sprint ext
202125 points + f-lap + sprint
202025 points + fastest lap
201925 points + fastest lap
201825 points
201725 points
201625 points
201525 points
201425 points + last GP 2x
201325 points
201225 points
201125 points
201025 points
200910 points extended
200810 points extended
200710 points extended
200610 points extended
200510 points extended
200410 points extended
200310 points extended
200210 points system
200110 points system
200010 points system
199910 points system
199810 points system
199710 points system
199610 points system
199510 points system
199410 points system
199310 points system
199210 points system
199110 points system
19909 points system
19899 points system
19889 points system
19879 points system
19869 points system
19859 points system
19849 points system
19839 points system
19829 points system
19819 points system
19809 points system
19799 points system
19789 points system
19779 points system
19769 points system
19759 points system
19749 points system
19739 points system
19729 points system
19719 points system
19709 points system
19699 points system
19689 points system
19679 points system
19669 points system
19659 points system
19649 points system
19639 points system
19629 points system
19619 points system
19608 points extended
19598 points + fastest lap
19588 points + fastest lap
19578 points + fastest lap
19568 points + fastest lap
19558 points + fastest lap
19548 points + fastest lap
19538 points + fastest lap
19528 points + fastest lap
19518 points + fastest lap
19508 points + fastest lap

Points for races with reduced distance

Before 2022 reduced races simply awarded half points. See the below for points awarded since 2022 based on race distance completed and conditions. The calculation of points on this site is linked with the combination of points system and season. So, in case of reduced points, any pre-2022 points system will use the applicable percentage for seasons from 2022 onwards and will not take the actual points as per the below tables. So this will be 0%, 25%, 50% or 75% of total points based on the selected points system.

2 or less laps completed without safety car // start = 0 laps and end = 2 laps
No points awarded.

More than 2 laps without safety car upto 25% of the race distance completed // start = > 2 laps and end = <25% race distance
PlacePointsPercentage of first placePercentage of previous place (n-1)
    
16100%100%
2467%67%
3350%75%
4233%67%
5117%50%

More than 25% of the race distance completed and upto 50% // start = >25% race distance and end = <50% race distance
PlacePointsPercentage of first placePercentage of previous place (n-1)
    
113100%100%
21077%77%
3862%80%
4646%75%
5538%83%
6431%80%
7323%75%
8215%67%
918%50%

More than 50% of the race distance completed and upto 75% // start = >50% race distance and end = <75% race distance
PlacePointsPercentage of first placePercentage of previous place (n-1)
    
119100%100%
21474%74%
31263%86%
4947%75%
5842%89%
6632%75%
7526%83%
8316%60%
9211%67%
1015%50%
Date last modified: 2024-02-05 01:00:01 - 1 month ago
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