How Championship Points Work
How races turn into titles, and why every finish counts.
By African Motorsport StaffPublished Oct 9, 2026Updated Oct 9, 2026
In most championships, points are awarded to the top finishers of each race. Over a season, points add up, and the driver and team with the most points win the titles.
Formula 1 today
In recent seasons, the top ten finishers in a Grand Prix score points, with the winner receiving the most. Sprint races award a smaller number of points to the top finishers.
Ties
If two drivers finish level on points, the championship is decided by count-back: the driver with more wins ranks higher, then more second places, and so on.
Rules change
Points systems have changed many times since 1950. When reading about a historical season, use the points table that applied that year.
