F1 Standings Explained (2025 Rules): Drivers vs Constructors
The two championships that define every Formula 1 season run side‑by‑side: the Drivers’ Championship and the Constructors’ Championship. They use the same points tables, but they influence the sport in different ways — from how teams manage strategy on Sundays to how much prize money and development headroom they get for the following year.
In 2025 there are two big headlines fans should know:
- No fastest‑lap bonus point — the 2019–2024 extra point was discontinued for 2025, so finishing position alone determines your score on race day.
- Sprint points remain — Saturday sprints still award points to the top eight finishers.
Below we break down how standings are calculated, why the constructors’ table is the financial backbone of F1, and what the 2025 title fights look like right now.
The scoring that powers both titles
At each Grand Prix, the top 10 classified finishers score points on a 25–18–15–12–10–8–6–4–2–1 scale. On sprint weekends, Saturday’s sprint awards 8–7–6–5–4–3–2–1 to the top eight. There is no fastest‑lap point in 2025.
- Drivers’ standings: a driver’s season total is the sum of all points they score across Grands Prix and sprints.
- Constructors’ standings: a team’s total is the sum of the points scored by both of its drivers at each event.
If you want an in‑depth refresher on points — including worked examples and reduced‑points tiers for shortened races — see our explainer: F1 Points System Explained and our companion on weather‑affected events: How F1 Standings Are Calculated in Shortened Races.
Shortened races: how reduced points feed the standings
When a race doesn’t reach full distance, F1 uses a tiered payout based on the percentage of distance completed under green‑flag conditions (with at least two green‑flag laps required). Depending on the distance achieved, points pay down to P5, P9, or P10 — and once a race reaches ≥ 75% distance, full points apply. Those points go straight into both championships.
- For the complete breakdown, read: How F1 Standings Are Calculated in Shortened Races.
Why the Constructors’ Championship matters so much
Fans often focus on the Drivers’ title — and for good reason. But inside the paddock, the Constructors’ standings are a huge deal. They influence:
- Prize money distribution: Teams receive a major share of F1’s commercial revenues based on final constructors’ position. Every place can be worth millions.
- Commercial leverage: Higher finishing positions boost sponsor appeal and long‑term revenue.
- Development momentum: A healthier budget (and historically, in some eras, more development “tokens” or wind‑tunnel/CFD latitude) compounds into next year’s performance.
For a deeper look at how teams score and strategise across both cars, read our guide: F1 Constructors’ Championship Explained.
2025 context: who’s leading and why it matters
Based on our live dataset (updated 2025‑09‑07), here’s the picture heading into the late‑season flyaways.
Drivers’ Championship — top five snapshot
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- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) — 324 pts, 7 wins
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- Lando Norris (McLaren) — 293 pts, 5 wins
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- Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) — 230 pts, 3 wins
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- George Russell (Mercedes) — 194 pts, 1 win
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- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) — 163 pts
Behind them, Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) sits 6th on 117 points, while rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) is 7th with 66. The midfield is tight: Alex Albon (Williams) is 8th with 70, while Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso are split by two points.
Constructors’ Championship — top five snapshot
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- McLaren — 617 pts
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- Ferrari — 280 pts
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- Mercedes — 260 pts
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- Red Bull Racing — 242 pts
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- Williams Racing — 86 pts
McLaren’s advantage underscores why the constructors’ table rewards two strong scorers. Even when a rival superstar wins, the team with consistent double‑points finishes can build an unassailable lead over 24+ events.
Drivers vs Constructors: how strategy changes
1) Two cars, one scoreboard
A one‑two finish is the gold standard for teams. But on difficult weekends, splitting strategies to target two top‑six finishes can outperform gambling everything on a single win and a DNF. The constructors’ maths rewards redundancy.
2) Sprint weekends are leverage points
With up to eight extra points available per driver on Saturday, a team that executes clean sprints can chip away at rivals even before Sunday. Over six sprint weekends, that cumulative edge can swing a tight constructors’ fight.
3) No fastest‑lap point: fewer late‑stop gambles
With the 2019–2024 bonus point removed, we’ve seen fewer “free stop for FL” plays. That reduces end‑of‑race volatility and places a premium on track position and tyre life — subtly changing how teams balance undercuts versus clean‑air pace.
4) Shortened races compress gaps
When reduced points apply, the gap between first and second shrinks — so gaining two cars into the top eight/nine can be more valuable than over‑optimising a single victory push. Midfield teams, especially, can claim outsized rewards with smart calls.
Worked examples (2025 rules)
- Grand Prix: P2 + P5 = 18 + 10 = 28 team points
- Sprint: P3 + P6 = 6 + 3 = 9 team points
- Weekend total: 37 points added to the Constructors’ table
If the Grand Prix ends at ~60% distance, the P2 payout drops to 14 (50–75% tier). The same finishing positions would yield 33 team points for the weekend instead of 37.
Tie‑breakers: same for both titles
If two drivers or two teams finish a season on equal points, countback applies:
- Most wins → 2) Most second places → 3) Most third places → … until separated.
2025 title narrative: what to watch next
- McLaren’s two‑pronged attack: With Piastri and Norris both winning and banking podiums, McLaren’s constructors’ cushion reflects a classic “both cars in the points every week” approach.
- Ferrari vs Mercedes for P2: A handful of high‑yield weekends could flip this fight. Reliability and sprint execution may be the tie‑breakers in practice.
- Red Bull’s recovery: Verstappen’s wins keep them in range for P3. Maximising the second car’s points is critical to bridge the gap.
- Williams in the upper midfield: Consistent scoring from Albon, plus opportunistic weekends, is keeping them clear of Aston Martin/RB/Sauber.
FAQs
How many points do you get for winning in 2025?
25 points for a Grand Prix win. There’s no fastest‑lap bonus point.
Do sprint points count toward the championships?
Yes. The top eight in the sprint score 8–7–6–5–4–3–2–1, added to both Drivers’ and Constructors’ standings.
How are points handled if a race is red‑flagged early?
A sliding scale applies based on race distance completed under green‑flag laps. See: F1 standings in shortened races.
Why do teams care so much about the Constructors’ standings?
Prize money, commercial pull, and next‑year momentum. It’s the table that funds the project.
What’s the maximum a driver can score on a sprint weekend?
33 points — 8 for the sprint win + 25 for the Grand Prix win.
Final thoughts: standings with stakes
The points tables are simple; the consequences are not. The Drivers’ Championship crowns the star. The Constructors’ Championship funds the future. With no fastest‑lap point in 2025 and sprints still in play, consistent double scoring is the surest path to glory — and to the resources that keep a team at the sharp end.
Want to track how every overtake reshapes the title fight in real time? Try RaceMate — our live standings companion that recalculates both championships as the race unfolds.