Formula One point system: Everything you need to know

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Mar 15, 2025, 17:32 IST

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Fans are excited as the Australian Grand Prix begins. In Formula One, points are awarded to the top ten drivers, with the winner earning 25 points. The fastest lap in the top 10 earns a bonus point. Sprint races also award points, with the first-place driver getting 8 points and decreasing from there.

Formula One point system: Everything you need to know

Image credit: Getty Images

Fans are buzzing with anticipation as the season-opening Australian Grand Prix kicked off at Albert Park. One of the key questions on everyone's mind is: how does Formula One's points system work? The cars are ready, the drivers are geared up, and the grid is set to position the cars in order of performance. The fastest car secures the first spot, the second-fastest takes the second position, and so on.

How the points system functions in Formula One

Points are awarded to the top ten drivers at the end of the race. The distribution is as follows:
The top ten drivers after the final race earn points.
The driver who finishes 10th gets one point, the ninth-placed gets 2 points, the eighth-placed gets 4 points, the seventh-placed gets 6 points, the sixth-placed gets 8 points, the fifth-placed gets 10 points, the fourth-placed gets 12 points, the third-placed gets 15 points, the second-placed gets 18 points, and the race winner or top finisher gets 25 points.

F1 point system

1st finish = 25 points
2nd finish = 18 points
3rd finish = 15 points
4th finish = 12 points
5th finish = 10 points
6th finish = 8 points
7th finish = 6 points
8th finish = 4 points
9th finish = 2 points
10th finish = 1 point

What about the drivers outside the top 10 finish?

The driver who finishes 11th and downwards doesn't get a single point. During a grand prix, the driver, if in top 10, who set the fastest lap also gets a bonus point.

Does a driver get points from the sprint race?

In a sprint race, points are awarded as follows: The first-place driver earns 8 points, while the second-place driver receives 7 points. Finishing third awards 6 points, and fourth place secures 5 points. The fifth-place driver gets 4 points, sixth place earns 3 points, seventh place is rewarded with 2 points, and the eighth-place finisher takes home 1 point.
Sprint race points
1st place: 8 points
2nd place: 7 points
3rd place: 6 points
4th place: 5 points
5th place: 4 points
6th place: 3 points
7th place: 2 points
8th place: 1 point
Also Read: 2025 F1 Australian Grand Prix Qualifying Results: Lando Norris tops the charts as Oscar Piastri’s home dream fades in qualifying
The 2025 season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne with the qualifying from March 14, where 20 drivers are competing for a strong start. Carlos Sainz Jr., driving for Ferrari, won the 2024 Australian Grand Prix, securing the top spot on the podium.

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TOI Sports Desk

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