How does the F1 point scoring work and how many points do you get for a race win?
F1 is one of the most thrilling sports in the world with drivers risking their lives every week to gain as many points as possible.
The 2021 season saw a thrilling end to the year as both Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were level on points at the top of the standings with just one race to go.
Verstappen eventually snatched the World Championship by the barest of margins, but the race was dramatic right to the very end.
However, it can be confusing how the scoring works for each F1 race so read below to find out more info on how it is all calculated.
How does F1 point scoring work?
Points are awarded on a sliding scale for a Grand Prix victory, with first place taking 25 points and the rest of the field to 10th place scoring.
- 1st place - 25 points
- 2nd - 18 points
- 3rd - 15 points
- 4th - 12 points
- 5th - 10 points
- 6th - 8 points
- 7th - 6 points
- 8th - 4 points
- 9th - 2 points
- 10th - 1 point
- 11-last - 0 points
Are F1 points awarded for the fastest lap?
Yes. One championship point is awarded to the driver with the fastest lap of any race.
But only if they finish in the top 10 positions of the final standings.
This is to avoid a driver who is at the back of the field giving up on winning a race but hanging back in order to set the fastest lap.
How are points awarded if an F1 race is abandoned?
It used to be that if a race was abandoned before 75 per cent of the distance has been completed all points are halved.
This happened in the 2021 season at the Belgian Grand Prix.
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However, after that debacle where there was effectively no race at all the system was changed.
No points will be awarded unless a minimum of two laps have been completed under green flag conditions from now on.
Points will be awarded on a 6–4–3–2–1 basis to the top five if less than 25 per cent of the Grand Prix is completed.
If between 25 per cent and 50 per cent of the race is completed then a 13–10–8–6–5–4–3–2–1 system for the top nine will be used.
Points will be awarded on a 19–14–12–9–8–6–5–3–2–1 scale to the top 10 if 50 per cent to 75 per cent of the race is managed.
Are championship points awarded in the F1 Sprint Race?
Yes. The points system has been changed for the 2022 season though.
The top eight places now receive points and will receive as follows:
- 1st - eight points
- 2nd - seven points
- 3rd - six points
- 4th - five points
- 5th - four points
- 6th - three points
- 7th - two points
- 8th - one point