Why this matters now (Austin is a sprint)

Austin (17–19 Oct) is the season’s next sprint weekend — which means two scoring opportunities in 48 hours: a Saturday sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix. In 2025 the Formula 1 points system is simpler than in the recent past: there is no fastest‑lap point (removed ahead of 2024), so finishing positions do all the scoring. That tweak slightly changes risk calculus for leaders and chasers.

Below we break down how points accrue on sprint vs standard weekends, what changed with the rules, and how title contenders — led by Oscar Piastri from Lando Norris with Max Verstappen chasing — should weigh risk and reward.

The 2025 points system at a glance

Grand Prix (full distance): 25‑18‑15‑12‑10‑8‑6‑4‑2‑1 to the top ten.
Sprint: 8‑7‑6‑5‑4‑3‑2‑1 to the top eight.
No fastest‑lap bonus in either session.
Shortened races: points scaled per official framework (see our explainer below).

Sprint weekend vs standard weekend: total points on offer

Standard weekend (no sprint): One scoring session → max 25 points per driver.
Sprint weekend: Two scoring sessions → max 33 points per driver (8 from the sprint + 25 from the GP).

At team level, a perfect sprint weekend is worth 66 points if both cars sweep (rare, but that’s the theoretical ceiling). Without a fastest‑lap bonus, these are hard caps — useful for back‑of‑the‑envelope title math.

Current standings context (after Singapore)

Using our live dataset (updated 5 Oct):

Drivers: Piastri 336 (7 wins), Norris 314 (5 wins), Verstappen 273 (4 wins), Russell 237 (2 wins), Leclerc 173.
Constructors: McLaren 650, Mercedes 325, Ferrari 300, Red Bull Racing 293, Williams 102.

That baseline frames Austin: a 33‑point mini‑swing is available in one weekend. For chasers, it’s opportunity; for leaders, it’s a risk to manage.

How sprints change risk/reward in 2025

1) No fastest‑lap point = fewer gimmicks, more positional value

With no lap‑one pit gambles for a bonus point, late‑race tyre offsets exist purely to pass for position. That reduces “free” scoring hacks and nudges teams toward safer scoring on Sundays — unless a rival DNFs.

2) Saturday is now pure upside (if you finish)

Eight points for the sprint win is meaningful when margins are small. But retirements are still costly — not in points lost (you had none), but in parc fermé risks if repairs push legality. For title leaders, a conservative P3–P5 in the sprint may be the optimal play; for chasers, winning Saturday is how you force Sunday pressure.

3) Setup compromise is back in focus

Sprint parc fermé boxes teams into a narrow setup window across two scoring days. Leaders often pick a Sunday‑optimised baseline; chasers can afford to trim for Saturday to grab early points and track position — then survive Sunday with tyre life.

4) Championship math favours aggression from P3

From third in the drivers’ fight, you need multi‑event gains. A sprint weekend doubles your shots. If you’re Verstappen at 273, the right call is often to be aggressive on Saturday to force McLaren decisions on Sunday.

Sprint vs standard: strategy templates

If you’re leading (Piastri)

Prioritise Sunday tyre life; target safe sprint points (P3–P5) unless pole pace is clear.
Avoid parc fermé headaches; damage on Saturday can cost you grid position on Sunday.
Keep the constructors’ math front‑of‑mind: two cars scoring mid‑high beats a single win + zero.

If you’re the main chaser (Norris)

Take slightly higher Saturday risk to chip away (aim 6–8 pts); maintain a high Sunday floor.
Use sprint tyre offsets to bank clear‑air laps rather than fight in trains.
Force intra‑team decisions only when the pace delta is undeniable.

If you’re the outside shot (Verstappen)

Maximise Saturday: pole → sprint win equals pressure.
Split strategies vs both McLarens on Sunday to create a box‑in.
Prioritise clean air over undercut roulette; without fastest‑lap, finishing position is everything.

If you’re podium‑hunting (Russell, Leclerc)

Play the long game: brake stability and tyre life over qualifying glory.
Bank sprint points but don’t trade Sunday grid for tiny Saturday upside.
Safety Car discipline is a championship‑adjacent skill on sprint weekends.

Pitfalls unique to sprint weekends

Parc fermé repairs: Non like‑for‑like fixes can trigger pit‑lane starts.
Component mileage: Two competitive days stress power units and gearboxes; reliability risk creeps into Sunday.
Tyre allocation: Burning softs on Saturday can blunt Sunday offsets; keep one quality set for late‑race defence.

Practical title math for Austin

Piastri +10 over Norris in Austin (e.g., P1 in GP while Norris P3 and sprint splits) would stretch the gap toward “two clean Sundays” territory.
Norris +10 over Piastri (e.g., sprint win + P2 vs P4) turns Brazil/Las Vegas into live swing rounds.
A Verstappen 16–20 point gain (sprint win + GP win vs Piastri/Norris 3–4) re‑opens the fight — especially if Red Bull convert both cars on Sunday for constructors leverage.

Quick reference: points tables

Grand Prix (full distance)

Sprint

FAQs: Quick answers for searchers

Who is leading the F1 2025 drivers’ championship right now?

Oscar Piastri leads on 336 points with seven wins, ahead of Lando Norris on 314 (five wins) and Max Verstappen on 273 (four wins).

Who leads the F1 constructors’ championship?

McLaren top the table on 650 points, with Mercedes (325), Ferrari (300) and Red Bull Racing (293) in pursuit.

How do sprints change the maximum points available?

Sprint weekends add an extra eight points opportunity, taking a driver’s theoretical weekend max from 25 to 33.

Is there a fastest‑lap point in 2025?

No. The fastest‑lap bonus was removed ahead of 2024. Only finishing positions score in both sprints and Grands Prix.

How are points awarded in shortened races?

They scale down per official rules depending on distance completed. See standings in shortened races.

Use RaceMate during sessions to watch the F1 championship standings update live — perfect for sprint weekends when two scoring sessions can swing the F1 points picture in hours, not days.