F1 standings are the ultimate measure of a championship season, determining both Driver and Constructor champions. The system is complex, with points awarded for a variety of outcomes throughout a race weekend that are calculated into an overall ranking in real-time. As the sport evolves, these adjustments have shaped modern rankings and kept them as dynamic as the racing. From rule changes boosting overtaking opportunities to technological advancements altering speed landscapes, the rankings constantly change, providing new challenges and opportunities for teams to battle.
The current system awards drivers points for finishing in the top ten positions of each Grand Prix, as well as conditional fastest lap points and a scattering of shorter Sprint races. It also incentivizes consistency, as even a minor error can have dramatic consequences. The Sporting News tracks each race’s impact on a driver or team’s rankings.
Similarly, the teams are awarded points for their performance at each Grand Prix and in the Sprint races. The top four teams in the final standings earn a place in the World Constructors’ Championship, with the top two teams earning a spot in the World Drivers’ Championship. The rest of the teams – Alpine, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Haas, Honda, McLaren, Renault, Sauber, Red Bull and Williams – are ranked on their total team points.
The teams pay their drivers salaries and bonuses, but the ultimate prize is the World Constructors’ Championship – and it’s the title that all of the Formula 1 teams are fighting for every year. It’s the goal that enchants fans, captures the attention of the media and sways the opinions of analysts. The Drivers’ Championship is the more glamorous and coveted prize, but for the majority of the Formula 1 team members it’s the team title that matters most.