Tracking the race for glory
F1 standings serve as a vital measure of performance and success in the world of Formula 1 racing. They represent the cumulative points earned by each driver throughout the season based on their race finishes, fastest laps, and other achievements. These standings provide fans, teams, and drivers with valuable insights into who is leading the championship, who is rising through the ranks, and who is facing challenges on the track.
As the season progresses, the standings fluctuate with each race, reflecting the dynamic nature of Formula 1 racing. From intense battles for the championship title to drivers fighting to secure their place on the grid, F1 standings capture the drama and excitement of one of the most prestigious racing series in the world.
How are the F1 standings determined?
Grand Prix races
In traditional Grand Prix races, points are awarded to drivers based on their finishing positions. The points system typically follows the following structure.
- 1st place: 25 points
- 2nd place: 18 points
- 3rd place: 15 points
- 4th place: 12 points
- 5th place: 10 points
- 6th place: 8 points
- 7th place: 6 points
- 8th place: 4 points
- 9th place: 2 points
- 10th place: 1 point
Drivers who finish outside the top 10 do not score any points, meaning that less than half of the drivers will be able to influence their own F1 standings positively in any given race.
Sprint races
Sprint races, introduced in recent years, offer a condensed and more action-packed format compared to traditional Grand Prix races. While sprint races do not award as many points as Grand Prix races, they still contribute to the overall F1 standings. The points system for sprint races usually follows a lower scoring structure. Points are awarded to the top finishers:
- 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
Drivers who finish outside the top 10 in sprint races do not earn any points.
Fastest lap
In addition to the points awarded for finishing positions, drivers can also earn a bonus point for setting the fastest lap during a race. This incentivizes drivers to push the limits and maintain a competitive pace throughout the race, even if they are not in contention for a podium finish. The driver who sets the fastest lap scores an extra point in the F1 standings, as long as they finish the race within the top 10 positions.
Opposition to the current points system and its impact on the F1 standings
Formula 1’s familiar points system could be in for a shake-up if a new proposal is approved. The proposed system would see points awarded to the top 12 finishers in a Grand Prix, adding an extra tier of competition and rewards for drivers which would have a huge impact on the F1 standings, especially for the lower midfield.
Under the proposed system, the points allocation for the top seven finishers would remain unchanged, with 25 / 18 /15 /12 / 10 / 8 /6 points awarded respectively for the 1st place through to the 7th. However, the system would introduce a new allocation system for the 8th place through to the 12th, with points allocated respectively as follows: 5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1.
Reaction to the proposed changes has been mixed within the F1 community. Some, like Alpine driver Pierre Gasly, see the new system as a tough challenge that will incentivise drivers to strive harder to finish in the top 10. Gasly remarked, “If you’re not in the top 10, you’ll just have to work harder,” emphasising the importance of performance in the sport.
On the other hand, proponents of the new system, such as Haas boss Ayao Komatsu, argue that it provides greater clarity for the fans and additional motivation for everyone involved in a team. Komatsu believes that the revised points structure will improve the viewing experience for fans and encourage greater competitiveness between teams and drivers. It would also mean that there would be much more competition for the final places in the F1 standings, as more points would be awarded to drivers who finish 12th, rather than only rewarding drivers who finish 10th and above.
