How F1 Awards Points in Sprint Races

Since 2021 Formula 1 has experimented with Sprint events — short Saturday races designed to add more competitive action to a race weekend. While the sprints have been tweaked each year, one element has remained consistent: they offer championship points. But how many points, who gets them and why? This guide unpacks the Sprint race points system, explores how it has evolved and examines its strategic impact on the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.

1. The birth of the Sprint

When Liberty Media took over Formula 1’s commercial rights in 2017, it promised to make the sport more engaging. Fans often complained that weekends were too predictable until Sunday; Fridays and Saturdays were dominated by practice and qualifying with little wheel‑to‑wheel racing. To address this, F1 introduced the Sprint format in 2021 at three grands prix. The idea was simple: replace a traditional qualifying session on Saturday with a short race around one third of grand prix distance. The finishing order of the Sprint set the grid for Sunday’s main race and, crucially, awarded a small number of points.

The inaugural Sprint at Silverstone in July 2021 lasted 17 laps. It was billed as a chance for drivers to race flat‑out without worrying about tyre wear or fuel levels. The event proved popular with many fans and triggered lively debate about its place in F1’s tradition. Initially points were limited to the top three finishers: the winner received three points, second place got two and third place one. This conservative allocation reflected the sport’s cautious approach to ensuring the Sprint didn’t undermine the prestige of the grand prix.

2. Evolution of the points format

2.1 2021: A modest debut

In 2021 only three Sprint events took place — at Silverstone, Monza and Interlagos. Points were awarded 3‑2‑1 to the top three finishers. Because the rewards were small, most teams treated the Sprint as a prelude to the main race rather than a points bonanza. Nevertheless, Lewis Hamilton’s drive from last to fifth at Interlagos highlighted how the Sprint could influence the grid and build narrative tension.

2.2 2022: Expanding the payout

Feedback from teams and fans suggested that the 3‑2‑1 format didn’t provide enough incentive for drivers to fight. In response, F1 expanded Sprint points in 2022. Now the top eight finishers would score points on a sliding scale of 8‑7‑6‑5‑4‑3‑2‑1. This change dramatically increased the significance of the Sprint for both championships. A driver winning the Sprint could collect eight points — almost a third of the 25 points available for winning the grand prix. The top eight finishers in a Sprint race receiving points meant that midfield teams had something tangible to fight for, not just the order of Sunday’s grid.

After the success of 2022, F1 doubled down. Six sprints were scheduled for both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The points distribution remained the same (8‑7‑6‑5‑4‑3‑2‑1), but the weekend format changed. Instead of using the Sprint to set Sunday’s grid, F1 introduced a separate Sprint Qualifying session (sometimes called the Sprint Shootout) to determine the starting order for the Sprint. Traditional qualifying moved back to Saturday afternoon to decide the grand prix grid. This separation freed drivers to race harder in the Sprint without worrying about compromising their grid slot for Sunday.

Critically, the sprints did not award a bonus point for fastest lap. Only finishing positions mattered, and the top eight places paid out points. Furthermore, the points scored in the Sprint counted toward both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships.

2.4 Future tweaks

As of the 2025 season, F1 plans to keep awarding points to the top eight in the Sprint. The sport’s leadership has hinted at potential adjustments — such as varying the length of the sprints or experimenting with reverse grids at lower‑profile events — but the underlying philosophy remains: reward drivers for competing flat‑out on Saturday without overwhelming the significance of the grand prix.

3. How the points affect the championships

3.1 Drivers’ Championship

The Sprint points system can swing the Drivers’ standings. An eight‑point haul for a Sprint win is equivalent to finishing sixth in a grand prix. Over six Sprints, a driver could theoretically gain up to 48 points — nearly two race wins. In the tight 2021 fight between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen’s Sprint victory at Silverstone added three valuable points to his tally. In later seasons, the expanded payout allowed drivers like George Russell and Sergio Pérez to close gaps to the leaders.

For drivers outside the top teams, Sprint points offer an opportunity to punch above their weight. A driver who regularly finishes eighth in grands prix (scoring four points each time) can effectively double their output by grabbing eighth in a Sprint and picking up an additional point. That extra point can make the difference in midfield championship battles where margins are razor‑thin.

3.2 Constructors’ Championship

Sprint points also count towards the Constructors’ standings. Since both team cars can score, a Sprint weekend offers up to 16 points for a dominant team (eight points for each driver). Over six sprints, that’s a potential 96 points — more than the difference between first and second in many constructor battles.

For example, in 2022 Mercedes had a difficult start to the season but used Sprint points to chip away at Ferrari’s lead. Conversely, when Red Bull won a Sprint 1‑2, they locked out 15 points (8 + 7) and extended their advantage. The added stakes in the Sprint encourage teams to devote development effort to circuits where sprints take place, knowing the payoff can be significant.

4. Strategy and tyre management

4.1 Tyre allocation rules

Unlike a grand prix, which often requires two pit stops and use of multiple tyre compounds, a Sprint race typically involves no pit stops. The regulations mandate that teams use the soft tyre for the Sprint, ensuring everyone starts on the same compound. However, the introduction of the Sprint Shootout in 2023 brought additional tyre rules: drivers must use new mediums in SQ1 and SQ2 and new softs in SQ3. That means careful tyre planning across the weekend, as teams juggle their allocation between practice, qualifying, the shootout and the Sprint.

4.2 Risk versus reward

With points available deep into the top eight, drivers and teams must decide whether to attack or defend. A risky overtaking attempt could yield an extra point or two, but a collision might end a driver’s race and leave them starting at the back on Sunday. Similarly, mechanical reliability is critical; a failure in the Sprint not only costs points but also forces a car to start the grand prix from the pit lane if the gearbox or engine components are changed.

On the other hand, because there are no mandatory pit stops, strategy during the Sprint often revolves around tyre temperature and energy management. Drivers need to push hard enough to defend their position or attack rivals, but not so hard that they overheat tyres or run out of battery deployment. Teams monitor the balance between track position and tyre life, especially on circuits with abrasive surfaces where performance can fall off after a few laps.

5. Impact on the weekend format

5.1 Breaking up the monotony

One of the reasons Liberty Media introduced the Sprint was to give fans meaningful racing on all three days of a grand prix weekend. On a Sprint weekend, Friday features a single practice session followed by a traditional qualifying session that sets the grid for the main race. Saturday morning hosts the Sprint Shootout, and the Sprint itself takes place a few hours later. Saturday afternoon’s qualifying has moved to the usual grand prix slot. Sunday remains unchanged.

By awarding points in the Sprint, Formula 1 encourages drivers to treat the short race as a competitive event rather than a glorified exhibition. Points on offer ensure that the action remains relevant to the championship standings and not just to the grid order.

5.2 Balancing the show

There is an ongoing debate about whether the Sprint dilutes the excitement of Sundays. Critics argue that awarding points on Saturday risks undermining the achievement of winning the grand prix, the sport’s traditional centrepiece. Proponents counter that the Sprint makes the weekend more dynamic and forces teams to adapt strategically.

By limiting Sprint points to the top eight and capping the maximum haul at eight per race, F1 hopes to strike a balance: enough reward to make the Sprint matter, but not so much that it overshadows the main event. The introduction of separate Sprint Qualifying also ensures that a crash or mistake in the Sprint does not necessarily ruin a driver’s Sunday grid slot, encouraging more aggressive racing.

6. Criticisms and controversies

The Sprint format has been polarising. Some fans love the extra racing and the spectacle of drivers battling for points on a Saturday. Others see it as a gimmick that devalues the grand prix. The points system is central to this debate.

One criticism is that awarding eight points to the Sprint winner may overly reward a short race relative to a full distance. A driver could theoretically accumulate enough Sprint points over a season to influence a championship without ever winning a grand prix. However, supporters note that the proportion remains small relative to the 25 points for a race victory.

Another controversy surrounds grid penalties. If a driver takes power‑unit components outside their allocation on a Sprint weekend, the penalty applies to the Sprint, not Sunday’s race. This means teams sometimes delay component changes to non‑Sprint weekends. Critics argue this complicates an already complex ruleset.

Moreover, because only the top eight earn points, those finishing ninth or lower gain no benefit from taking risks in the Sprint. Some propose extending points to the top ten (mirroring the grand prix), while others argue that would make the Sprint too influential.

7. Looking ahead: Could Sprint points change again?

Formula 1 continues to refine the Sprint concept. Future adjustments might include variations in points allocation depending on circuit length or the number of Sprints per season. There have been whispers about trialling reverse‑grid Sprints or awarding additional points for overtakes or pole position. While nothing is confirmed, F1’s leadership remains open to experimentation as long as it enhances the show and maintains sporting fairness.

For now, the 8‑7‑6‑5‑4‑3‑2‑1 system looks set to remain. It provides a meaningful reward for Sprint success without fundamentally altering the hierarchy of points distribution that has underpinned Formula 1 for decades.

8. Conclusion

Sprint races have added a new dimension to Formula 1 weekends. By awarding points to the top eight finishers, the sport ensures that Saturday action contributes to the championship narrative rather than serving merely as an exhibition. The sliding scale introduced in 2022 has made Sprints more consequential, giving drivers and teams additional opportunities to score and forcing them to strategise across two competitive sessions.

Whether you love or loathe the Sprint, the points system shapes how teams approach these races. Drivers must balance aggression with caution, midfield teams see a glimmer of extra reward, and title contenders treat every single point as critical. As F1 continues to evolve, Sprint races may yet take on new forms, but for now the 8‑7‑6‑5‑4‑3‑2‑1 points structure stands as a bold experiment in spicing up the show without eclipsing the grand prix.