With 24 Grands Prix in 2025, drivers and teams will be looking to accumulate as many points as possible throughout the season with a view to ranking high up the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championship tables. But how exactly does the Formula 1 points system work, and what happens if two drivers end the season on equal points?
It hasn’t happened in 74 years of F1 history but, in theory, if two drivers finish the season with exactly the same number of points it will be a tie. But the difference in world champion status will be decided by how many wins the drivers have. If there are still no differences, the team with the most second place finishes will be awarded the title. This is a measure of the overall strength of a team and its car design, engine, strategy, pit crew and drivers.
It’s a title that all the teams – Alpine, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Haas, McLaren, Renault and Mercedes – fight for, as it can have a hugely significant impact on the financial rewards paid to the teams in terms of prize money. That’s why it’s usually a very close contest between the top teams with drivers willing to do whatever it takes to make sure their team mate takes the title. This can involve things as simple as letting their team mate pass them during a race, or, more rarely, it could be as involved as sacrificing their own racing opportunity to help their team mate.