Formula 1 standings are crucial to the sport, and are updated after every Grand Prix. They define champions and offer a crucial insight into how the races are going. We take a look at the way F1 points are awarded, how the Driver and Constructor Championships work, as well as explaining what happens if two drivers are tied on points at the end of the season.
The F1 Drivers’ Championship, formally known as the FIA World Drivers’ Championship, awards points to each driver in a race (25 for the winner). Throughout the year, a driver’s total points determine their position in the standings at the end of the season. It is the most prestigious title in Formula 1, and one that all teams strive to win.
Unlike the Drivers’ Championship, where teams battle it out to win a crown for their driver, the F1 Constructors’ Championship rewards a team’s overall performance across the year. The team that earns the most points wins this coveted trophy. Since the championship began in 1958, 15 teams have won it, with Ferrari leading the pack with 16 titles. Other notable winners include Williams, McLaren and Mercedes.
A top place in the F1 Constructors’ Championship not only means a large prize money payout, but also bragging rights and, often, a bit more garage space if there are odd numbers of cars in a pit lane. It is worth noting that the Drivers’ Championship has been won by a team other than the Constructors’ champions on 12 occasions – a sign of just how close and competitive the sport is.