F1 points system 2023: How can drivers score points in races?

Delving into the way points will be awarded to drivers and teams in F1 this season.


F1 points system 2023: How can drivers score points in races?

A Formula 1 race start

Formula 1 is a competitive sport. Teams and drivers aim to win the F1 world championship after racing wheel-to-wheel throughout the season. The F1 points tally decides the champions for both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ titles. Every single point matters for drivers as well as the teams as they try to win in the sport. The points distributed at every race are based on the latest F1 rules and regulations

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The present F1 points system was introduced in 2010, with Sebastian Vettel winning the Driver’s title with a whopping 256 points. In 2023, a team can score a maximum of 44 points at a conventional race weekend. At the same time, this number bumps up to 59 points for a Grand Prix with the F1 Sprint session. The Driver with the maximum number of points wins the Drivers’ Championship, and the F1 team with the most points wins the Constructors’ championship.

The F1 points system is an integral part of the championship

For the frontrunners on the grid, scoring points is a regular occurrence. On the other hand, a couple of good-scoring races can drastically change the season for the backmarker. A higher position on the standings brings in extra millions of dollars in prize money. As such, teams such as Williams or Haas are delighted to secure even a single finish in the points.

Discover: F1 Reserve Drivers: Who are the backup drivers for the 2023 Formula one season?

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F1 points system for Grand Prix

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A Grand Prix follows the standard affair of points

For every Grand Prix, the top 10 drivers are awarded points. When a race completes its scheduled distance, the drivers get full points. The race winner receives 25 points for coming home in the first place. This number gradually declines to a single point for P10 as per the finishing positions. A bonus point was introduced in 2019 and is given to the driver finishing in the top 10 with the fastest lap of the race.

F1 points system for Sprint Races

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Max Verstappen, after winning an F1 Sprint

Additionally, F1 Sprint races are also an opportunity for drivers to bag a few points. Previously, only the top 3 finishers in a sprint race were given points, but for 2023, the F1 points system has been altered. This year, the top 8 drivers in the Sprint qualifying races will be awarded points. The winner of the Saturday event will be given 8 points, while the eighth finisher will receive one point.

F1 points system for Shortened Races

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Max Verstappen behind the safety car at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix

Wet weather conditions often hinder the Formula 1 Grand Prix. In such instances, it might become dangerous to continue racing until the weather improves. Subsequently, the sport has provisions for a modified F1 points system for these races. Although, this scoring method was overhauled after the infamous 2021 Belgian Grand Prix when drivers were awarded reduced points without racing for a single lap. The race was won by Max Verstappen.

The new system introduced in the 2022 Formula 1 season gives points to races with at least raced 2 laps in green flag conditions. If a race completes less than 25% distance but at least 2 laps, then the top 5 drivers are awarded points, with the winner getting 6 points. This rate increases in increments of 25%. The top 9 drivers are awarded points in a race that covers less than 50% distance, with P1 getting 13 points.

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On the other hand, the first 10 drivers are given points in races over 50% race distance. Albeit, drivers get reduced points when the race has finished less than 75% of the scheduled running. The Grand Prix winner would receive 19 points in such a scenario. At the same time, the F1 points system allows for full points to the top 10 for all races that cover more than 75% of the race distance.

PositionAt least 2 laps and less than 25% distance (pts)At least 25% but less than 50% distance (pts)At least 50% but less than 75% distance (pts)More than 75% distance (pts)
P16131925
P24101418
P3381215
P426912
P515810
P6468
P7356
P8234
P9122
P1011

What happens to points if a driver switches teams mid-season?

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Albon and Gasly swapped their teams in mid-2019

The F1 driver market is highly volatile. Often, drivers switch teams during the season for a variety of reasons. In such a case, the driver keeps the points they have scored for their older team. While the team would also still have those points on the Constructors’ standings. Thus there is no change in the points tally during the year.

Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon switched their teams during the 2019 F1 season. Alex Albon moved from Toro Rosso to the Red Bull senior team. Whereas, Gasly was demoted to Toro Rosso. Accordingly, both drivers kept their points tally till that point while there was such a shakeup in the Constructors’ standing for both the Red Bull teams.

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This concludes the F1 points system for 2023. Every driver and team aims to maximize the points scored during a race weekend. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s title contention went to the wire as the two drivers were level on points heading into the final race in 2021. Certainly, this system rewards the competitors who strive to do their best at every single Grand Prix.

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