Formula 1 scoring looks complicated and is not. There are two point scales, one rule about who scores, and one common misconception. Here is all of it.
Grand Prix Points
| Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 25 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Note the gaps. First to second is a 7-point drop; ninth to tenth is 1. The system deliberately rewards winning far more than merely finishing well.
Sprint Points
Sprint races use a shorter scale — 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 for the top eight, nothing below that.
There are six sprint weekends in 2026: Shanghai, Miami, Montreal, Silverstone, Zandvoort and Singapore. A sprint win is worth less than a fourth place in a Grand Prix, which is the intended balance — sprints matter, but the main race decides championships.
The Point That No Longer Exists
The old rule also had a condition people forget: even when it existed, the fastest-lap point only counted if the driver finished in the top ten. Removing it ended a strange late-race ritual where teams pitted for fresh tyres purely to steal a single point.
What the Constructors’ Championship Actually Is
This is the question that trips up most new viewers, and the answer is simpler than expected: there is no separate constructors’ scoring system.
Every point a driver scores is also credited to their team. A team’s total is just both of its drivers’ points added together. That is why a team with two consistent midfield finishers can beat a team with one star and one struggling car — and it is why teams care so much about their second seat.
The constructors’ championship also determines prize money, which is why it matters more to the paddock than to the television audience.
Quick Worked Example
A driver wins a sprint (8) and finishes third in the Grand Prix (15) → 23 points for the weekend, all of it also added to their team. Their team-mate finishes seventh in the sprint (2) and fifth in the race (10) → 12. The team banks 35.
For what changed on the cars themselves this season, see our explainer on F1’s 2026 regulations — new engines, active aero and the end of DRS.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many points is an F1 win worth?
25, then 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 down to tenth place.
How many points for a sprint race win?
8, down to 1 for eighth. There are six sprint weekends in 2026.
Is there still a point for fastest lap?
No — it was abolished from the 2025 season.
What is the constructors’ championship?
The team standings. There is no separate scoring — a team’s total is both drivers’ points combined. It also decides prize money.
Do drivers outside the top ten score?
No. Eleventh and below score zero in a Grand Prix; ninth and below score zero in a sprint.
Points scales, sprint calendar and the removal of the fastest-lap point per RacingNews365, Motor Sport Magazine, Sky Sports F1 and Yahoo Sports, 2026. Photo: a Formula 1 car at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
