Formula 1: How does the point scoring system work?

As the 2022 season begins to heat up, let’s take a brief look at how points are awarded to drivers who compete in Formula 1.

The 2022 Formula 1 season got underway last Sunday with the Bahrain Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit, and 10 drivers walked away from the first of 23 races on the calendar with points.

But how are those points awarded? Let’s take a quick look at the Formula 1 scoring system, which has received a few slight modifications for 2022.

First, here is a list of the points awarded to the drivers for their finishing positions.

• 1st place – 25
• 2nd place – 18
• 3rd place – 15
• 4th place – 12
• 5th place – 10
• 6th place – 8
• 7th place – 6
• 8th place – 4
• 9th place – 2
• 10th place – 1
• 11th and below – 0

An additional point is awarded for running the fastest lap, but only if the fastest lap is run by one of the top 10 drivers. If the fastest lap is run by a driver outside the top 10, no additional point is awarded. In this case, it does not go to the driver with the fastest lap inside the top 10.

This exact points format was utilized from 2010 to 2018, but without the bonus point for running the fastest lap.

Prior to 2019, no point had been awarded for the running the fastest lap since 1959.

The 2021 season saw the introduction of sprint qualifying races for three events on the calendar, and they have returned for three more races in 2022.

While there are no points awarded for taking the pole position after the traditional three-round knockout qualifying session, there are points awarded after the sprint qualifying races.

This year, points are awarded to the top eight drivers (from eight points to the winner down to one point for the eighth place finisher). Last year, they were only awarded to the top three (from three points to the winner down to one point for the third place finisher).

The only other big change made to the scoring system for the 2022 season pertains to shortened races. To read more about how that system was changed for the first time since 1980, specifically due to last year’s Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, over the offseason, click here.

Constructor points are compiled by adding driver points. For example, Ferrari teammates Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. currently lead the driver standings with 26 points (win and fastest lap in Bahrain) and 18 points (second place), respectively. So Ferrari lead the constructor standings with 44 points.