F1 Constructors’ Championship Explained: How Teams Win the Title
When most people talk about Formula 1 titles, they mean the Drivers’ Championship—the fight to crown the fastest driver of the year.
But there’s another championship running in parallel that is just as important to the sport’s DNA: the Constructors’ Championship.
Awarded to the most successful team over a season, the Constructors’ title measures more than driver skill—it’s a test of engineering excellence, operational precision, and the ability to score points consistently with both cars.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how it works, why it matters, and how teams strategise to win it.
How the Constructors’ Championship works
The Constructors’ Championship is decided by points—just like the Drivers’ title—but with a critical difference:
a team’s score for each race is the sum of the points earned by both of its drivers.
Example:
If Driver A finishes 1st (25 points) and Driver B finishes 3rd (15 points) in a race, the team earns 40 points for that Grand Prix.
The points scale for a full-distance race (top 10 finishers) is:
| Position | Points |
|---|---|
| 1st | 25 |
| 2nd | 18 |
| 3rd | 15 |
| 4th | 12 |
| 5th | 10 |
| 6th | 8 |
| 7th | 6 |
| 8th | 4 |
| 9th | 2 |
| 10th | 1 |
This system means a team with two consistent point-scoring drivers can beat a team that relies heavily on a single superstar.
Sprint weekends: extra opportunities
Since 2021, some race weekends have included a Sprint—a shorter Saturday race that awards extra points.
In 2025, the sprint format remains with points for the top 8 finishers:
8–7–6–5–4–3–2–1
These points also count towards the Constructors’ standings.
Example:
If a team’s drivers finish 2nd (7 points) and 5th (4 points) in the sprint, and then 1st (25 points) and 3rd (15 points) in the Grand Prix,
the team’s weekend total is:
7 + 4 + 25 + 15 = 51 points
Over a season, strong sprint performances can be the difference between 1st and 2nd in the Constructors’ Championship.
Shortened races and reduced points
Not every race runs the full distance. Heavy rain, accidents, or red flags can force early finishes.
Since 2022, F1 has used a tiered points system for shortened races, based on the percentage of race distance completed.
Key rule: At least two racing laps must be completed under green-flag conditions for points to be awarded.
Points tiers:
- < 25% distance completed → Points to P5: 6–4–3–2–1
- 25%–< 50% completed → Points to P9: 13–10–8–6–5–4–3–2–1
- 50%–< 75% completed → Points to P10: 19–14–12–10–8–6–4–3–2–1
- ≥ 75% completed → Full points (25–18–15…1)
For constructors, these reduced points are simply added together across both cars.
Tie-breakers
In rare cases, two teams may finish the season with the same number of points.
When that happens, the FIA applies countback rules:
- The team with more race wins takes the higher position
- If still tied, the team with more second-place finishes
- Then third places, and so on until a difference is found
If teams are still tied after all positions are counted, the FIA may apply further criteria—but in modern F1, this has never been necessary.
Why the Constructors’ title matters so much
The Constructors’ Championship isn’t just a secondary trophy—it’s central to the sport’s financial and competitive ecosystem.
Reasons it matters:
- Prize money – A significant share of F1’s commercial revenue is distributed based on Constructors’ standings position.
- Sponsorship leverage – Sponsors are more attracted to high-ranking teams.
- Engineering prestige – Winning proves a team can design and operate the best car over a season.
- Development funding – Higher prize payouts give teams a bigger budget for next year’s car.
For teams, Constructors’ performance = financial health.
A strong constructors’ finish can secure a team’s survival or fuel a future title bid.
Team strategies for the Constructors’ Championship
1. Consistency over glory
Sometimes a team will instruct a driver to secure safe points rather than risk everything for a win.
In constructors’ terms, two solid top-5 finishes can be better than one win and a DNF.
2. Equal focus on both cars
A team can’t win the Constructors’ with only one driver scoring heavily.
Ensuring both drivers finish regularly in the points is key.
3. Midfield battles matter
Even away from the front, teams fight tooth-and-nail for every point.
Finishing 6th in the Constructors’ can be worth millions more than finishing 7th.
4. Sprint as a bonus
Teams that treat sprints seriously can chip away at a rival’s lead before Sunday’s main race.
Historical Constructors’ battles
McLaren vs Ferrari (2007)
A season marred by controversy (the “Spygate” scandal) ended with Ferrari taking the title by just 1 point after McLaren was excluded from the standings.
Mercedes vs Red Bull (2021)
One of the most intense modern rivalries, with Mercedes securing their eighth consecutive Constructors’ title despite Verstappen winning the Drivers’ Championship for Red Bull.
Williams’ dominance (1990s)
With Adrian Newey-designed cars and strong driver pairings, Williams proved that a balanced lineup can crush the competition in both championships.
Notable stats about the Constructors’ Championship
- Ferrari holds the most Constructors’ titles: 16 as of 2024.
- The Constructors’ Championship was first awarded in 1958—a year after the Drivers’ title was introduced.
- It’s possible for the Constructors’ and Drivers’ titles to go to different teams in the same year (e.g., 2021).
FAQs
Do constructors’ points differ from drivers’ points?
No. The points scale is identical. The only difference is that a team’s score is the sum of its two drivers’ totals.
Can a team win the Constructors’ without winning a race?
Yes—if both drivers score high points consistently and rivals suffer DNFs.
What’s the maximum points a team can score in one weekend?
On a sprint weekend: 8 (sprint win) + 25 (GP win) per driver × 2 drivers = 66 points.
Why do some teams care more about the Constructors’ than the Drivers’?
Because prize money, development budgets, and commercial deals depend on Constructors’ standings more than on individual driver success.
Final thoughts
The Constructors’ Championship is the ultimate measure of a Formula 1 team’s performance across a season.
It’s a battle fought in the design office, the garage, and on the track—where teamwork is just as important as speed.
While the Drivers’ title crowns the sport’s stars, the Constructors’ title crowns the machine—the combination of car, crew, and strategy that defines an F1 season.
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