Points are everything in Formula 1, worth millions in prize money and the key to job security for drivers, teams will risk it all to climb one place higher in the classification so how does the F1 points system actually work? Who gets them? Are there bonus points?
The F1 points system awards points to the classified Top 10 finishers of any Grand Prix, as well as in Sprint Race events on select Saturdays through the 2024 F1 season, with the race winner netting a mammoth 25 points to add to their championship haul.
That’s seven more points than any of their rivals and across a full season can be worth a minimum of 168 points over the runner-up if they win every Grand Prix as Max Verstappen almost did in his historic 2023 campaign.
The awarding of F1 points system works on a sliding scale from the winner down to 10th-place, who scores just one point whilst anyone below (11th-20th) will not score, even if they happen to take the bonus fastest lap award.
Drivers now chase up to 672 points over a 24-race season, including six sprint races. With the removal of the extra point for the fastest lap, strategy has shifted, and every overtaking move in the top 10 now carries more weight than ever.
What’s new in the 2025 F1 points system?
The structure for awarding points in a standard Grand Prix remains familiar, with the top 10 drivers earning the following:
| Position | Points |
|---|---|
| 1st | 25 |
| 2nd | 18 |
| 3rd | 15 |
| 4th | 12 |
| 5th | 10 |
| 6th | 8 |
| 7th | 6 |
| 8th | 4 |
| 9th | 2 |
| 10th | 1 |
From 2025 onwards, no bonus point will be awarded for the fastest lap, even if the driver finishes within the top 10. This reduces the maximum available points per race from 44 to 43.
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How do F1 points work for Sprint Races?
Points are slightly different in F1 Sprint Races as the FIA and Liberty Media aims to keep the Grand Prix as the main spectacle of the weekend, so there are fewer points on offer and the bonus fastest lap is not available either.
The winner of the F1 Sprint Race will collect eight points, which decreases by one point down to eighth place instead of the typical 10 scorers on Sundays.
| Sprint Position | Points |
|---|---|
| 1st | 8 |
| 2nd | 7 |
| 3rd | 6 |
| 4th | 5 |
| 5th | 4 |
| 6th | 3 |
| 7th | 2 |
| 8th | 1 |
To qualify for sprint points, at least 50% of the sprint distance must be completed.
How are points awarded in shortened or disrupted F1 races?
After controversy at events like the 2021 Belgian GP and 2022 Japanese GP, the FIA revised how points are handled for incomplete races:
• 2 laps to 25% distance completed: 1st = 6 points, 2nd = 4, down to 5th = 1 point
• 25% to 50% completed: 1st = 13, 2nd = 10, down to 9th = 1 point
• 50% to 75% completed: 1st = 19, 2nd = 14, down to 10th = 1 point
• 75%+ or green flag finish after a red flag: Full points awarded
This ensures fairer distribution and avoids confusion in title-deciding situations.
Drivers, teams, and points: what’s at stake?
Every point matters in the F1 World Championship. Both Drivers’ and Constructors’ standings are determined by cumulative race points. If there’s a tie, the number of race wins breaks the deadlock.
Interestingly, teams must pay for their success. In 2023, Red Bull’s 860 points cost them over $5.6 million in FIA registration fees. Drivers also pay a super license fee based on their points—Max Verstappen paid around $1.2 million to renew his license in 2023 alone.
How do the points work in F1?
In Formula 1, only the top 10 drivers in each race earn points. The race winner receives 25 points, second place gets 18, and third place earns 15. Points continue to decrease down to 10th place, which is awarded 1 point. These points contribute to both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
Can you get 27 points in F1?
As of the 2025 season, it is no longer possible to score 27 points in a single Grand Prix. The maximum available is 25 points for a race win, and the extra point for the fastest lap—previously possible—has been removed from the rules starting in 2025.
What is the points system in F1 2025?
The 2025 F1 points system awards 25 points to the race winner, 18 for second, and 15 for third. The top 10 drivers score points (down to 1 point for 10th place). Sprint races also award points to the top 8 finishers. However, the additional point for fastest lap has been removed from the 2025 rules.
How much is 1 point worth in F1?
In terms of financial cost to the teams, 1 point in Formula 1 costs $6,575. For the Constructors’ Champion, each point costs $7,893. This fee is paid to the FIA as part of annual registration.
What is the F1 points system?
The F1 points system determines the championship standings by awarding points to the top 10 finishers in each race: 25 points for first place, 18 for second, and 15 for third, scaling down to 1 point for 10th. Sprint races also offer points, and points contribute to both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles.
