Since the sport's inception in 1950, Formula 1 has used a scoring system to determine the World Champion and the Constructors’ Championship.
The system has changed and evolved ever since, undergoing a massive restructuring in 2010 that has largely remained unchanged till today. However, the introduction of sprint races and the controversy of the fastest lap point has seen changes to the structure reminiscent of the sport’s formative years.
How was the scoring system originally structured?
From F1’s inaugural season in 1950 until 1959, only the top five finishing drivers were awarded championship points, scaled as 8-6-4-3-2-1. A bonus point was awarded to the driver that set the fastest lap time in the race, regardless of which position they finished the race in.
Then, in 1960, the fastest lap bonus point was removed, while a single point for finishing in sixth place was introduced. The FIA, Formula 1’s governing body, wanted to to promote the importance of finishing positions over fastest lap times. Following this in 1961, points awarded for a victory increased from eight to nine points, adding more value to securing a win, while the rest of the points scale remained the same.
The next change came about for the 1991 season, in which race winners would be awarded 10 points instead of 9, furthering the weight of winning the Grand Prix.
The biggest system overhauls took place in the 2000s
The 2003 season saw the biggest points system change to date, with points extended from the top six to the top eight, setting the scale 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1. The FIA wanted to ensure closer championship battles, a reward for consistency, and to give midfield teams more opportunities.
These changes to the system inspired the introduction of the 2010 format, the largest change to the point scoring system that F1 has ever seen. The top 10 finishers would now be awarded championship points, while race winners would now receive 25 points instead of 10, the biggest overall scoring change in the sports history.
This restructuring was down to an increase in F1 teams competing, with more better rewarded finishing positions aiming to keep teams and drivers engaged across the whole season. With the scale now set as 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1, the points system still managed to address the prestige of winning a Grand Prix whilst fostering closer competition.
In 2019, the fastest lap point was reintroduced, but would only be awarded if the driver with the quickest lap time finished in the top 10, with the intention of creating strategic interest in the closing stages of a race. However, in 2025, the bonus point was once again removed, with the FIA and the teams concluding that it provided limited sporting value.
The sprint race scoring system pays tribute to F1’s history
In 2021, Formula 1 introduced sprint races - a shorter race that would take place ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix race - and with it, a new system that seemed to pay tribute to how points were historically awarded.
Points are awarded from first to eighth place, scaled at 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 in accordance with the shorter race distance - roughly a third of a Grand Prix. Points are awarded this way so as not to eclipse Sunday’s main event.
