Understand how Grand Prix and Sprint results build the Drivers and Teams Championships, why both cars matter to a constructor and why classification, penalties and special sporting provisions can affect the final points picture.
Content source set verified 18 August 2026The Drivers Championship rewards the individual driver with the strongest season-long points total. The Teams Championship combines the championship points scored by both cars from each constructor, so a team needs contributions from across its garage.
A standard Grand Prix awards 25 points for first place, then 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 down to tenth. A Sprint awards points to the first eight finishers, from 8 points for the winner down to 1 for eighth.
Because both drivers can add to the team total, a constructor can gain significantly even when neither car wins. A strong pair of finishes can outscore a rival that has one car near the front but loses its second car from the points.
