F1 standings are an important part of the sport, and can help drivers and teams track their progress in a season. There are two world championships to fight for, and a top spot in the Drivers’ or Constructors’ standings can have significant implications for the teams’ finances through prize money distribution. In this article we look at the basics of Formula 1 standings, how they are calculated and key strategies for managing them.

The Formula 1 standings system calculates both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships based on a driver’s total points accumulated in each Grand Prix race and associated Sprint races. The winner of each race scores 25 points, while the top ten finishers earn points in proportion to their position. In addition, there is a special bonus point for the fastest lap of each race (this was abolished in 2025), and if a race is shortened due to weather conditions, or is restarted following a red flag stoppage, then full points are awarded if 75 per cent of the scheduled race distance has been completed.

Frequently, the driver in pole position for each race will also lead the standings, though not always. A runner-up can sometimes be enough to secure a victory, and there are examples of drivers winning world championships without ever taking a race win. This was the case for Keke Rosberg in 1982, and Mike Hawthorn in 1958. However, there are many other examples of championship battles going down to the last race of the season, and some have been decided by fractions of a point – as in the case of Ferrari beating BRM by three points across a ten-race season in 1964.