Talk:List of Formula One points systems

Half points

I've not looked too hard into this, but it seems that in 1975 drivers started earning half points. This needs to be explained in this article. --Mal 03:41, 5 April 2006 (UTC)

I think notes 2, 5, 6, 8 and 15 adequately describe how the distribution of half points have been awarded over time (initially for shared drives, then only in some cases and for fastest laps, then not for shared drives, and later for half-distance races). AlbinoMonkey ^(Talk) 09:02, 5 April 2006 (UTC)

To tell the truth, half points are today not given for "half distance", but for less than 75% of the distance of the race., AFAIR. --Vinci71 16:20, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

They don't. 1975 is only noted by note 10 for example. --Mal 09:17, 5 April 2006 (UTC)

1980 scoring system

This article stipulates that the points system employed for the 1980 season permitted “8 (4 from first 7, 4 from last 8)” wins to be counted towards the drivers championship. This matches the information from the results section of www.formula1.com which states “Points for top six finishers (9, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1). Half points awarded for races stopped before half distance. Only the best four scores from the first seven races and the best four scores from the remaining eight races counted towards the championship.” However I am certain this cannot be correct. The “4 from first 7, 4 from last 8” stipulation suggests that there were 15 races, there were 14 in 1980. The only way I can get the results to come out right is on the basis of the best 5 from the first 7 plus the best 5 from the last 7. Can anyone confirm that this is correct? Brendan.Coffey (talk) 12:02, 16 December 2007 (UTC)

You're right (confirmed by Mike Lang's Grand Prix! Vol 3). Good spot. Fixed. DH85868993 (talk) 12:47, 16 December 2007 (UTC)

Points Scoring

Why are we using the non-word 'pointscoring', rather than the actual words 'points scoring', and the usual rule about hyphenating two words when they are used as one adjective? i.e. Points-Scoring System .... Camcurwood (talk) 15:41, 20 August 2008 (UTC)

I agree that this term is strange and probably not proper. I've personally never seen this term used anywhere in the context of F1, except on Wiki. The FIA and many other sources use the term "Points system". Is there any reason we should keep using this made-up term on Wiki? So I'm re-opening this up for discussion, and if there are no objections within some reasonable timeframe, I'm going to change this.

cherkash (talk) 21:23, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

I'd probably go for "...points scoring systems" (i.e. with lower case and no hyphen), for consistency with List of FIM World Championship points scoring systems. But I'd also be happy with "...points systems". DH85868993 (talk) 22:57, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Needs changing in the title as well as in the text - pointscoring is not a word and makes Wikipedia look amateur - a shame as this is a great article otherwise —Preceding unsigned comment added by 207.245.198.135 (talk) 10:42, 31 August 2010 (UTC)

I've moved the article to List of Formula One World Championship points scoring systems. And updated the text. DH85868993 (talk) 12:30, 31 August 2010 (UTC)

Highest points awarding result when shared drive

I think, it is not correct at least for 1955 - for in this case Nino Farina could not have scored his 10,33 points.

Well it does apply to 1956, because Fangio did a 2nd and a 4th in Monaco plus the fastest lap and was only awarded 6/2 + 1 = 4 points.

—Preceding unsigned comment added by Micron1970 (talk • contribs) 09:28, 24 May 2009 (UTC)

Since it does apply in 1956 (Monaco-56), and does not apply in 1955 (Argentina-55, both Farina and Trintignant) I'm going to change the article now in this respect. cherkash (talk) 03:06, 26 February 2010 (UTC)

Tie-breaks

A list of tie-break rules would be useful. Or was it always the highest number of wins, then 2nd places etc.? --Roentgenium111 (talk) 21:58, 10 October 2011 (UTC)

Not sure if always, but the 1983 rules (see Article 4(d) of the 1983 F1 World Championship published in the March 1983 FIA Bulletin) already have the system you describe.

https://historicdb.fia.com/sites/default/files/regulations/1735604398/176-mar-1983.pdf ~2025-39587-28 (talk) 20:43, 9 December 2025 (UTC)

Constructors

It does not say in which year the Constructors championship changed from the best single result to the best two results from each race constributes to constructors standings. --Falcadore (talk) 01:30, 13 September 2012 (UTC)

Number of races

Can I suggest an improvement to the table, by including the total number of races per season as an additional column.

Thanks --Dummy half (talk) 16:21, 12 December 2013 (UTC)

I'm not convinced this would be an improvement - since 1981, the points scoring system has been independent of the number of races, and since the number of races has changed almost every year since 1994, it would mean adding a lot of extra rows to the table which would be identical apart from the number of races. DH85868993 (talk) 13:55, 16 December 2013 (UTC)

This is wrong. In the 1980s the rule was "half the races plus three", rather than 11 as stated in the table. ~2025-36648-25 (talk) 18:04, 26 November 2025 (UTC)

The table exists to reflect reality, not the rule book. And "best 11 results" is easier to understand than "best results of half of the Grand Prix plus three." SSSB (talk) 18:09, 26 November 2025 (UTC)

Perhaps, but then there is strong case for having the total number of races to give context to the number of races counting. ~2025-39587-28 (talk) 20:39, 9 December 2025 (UTC)

Perhaps there should be a separate table showing the rule that generates how main races count. There have not been all that many systems over the years. ~2025-39587-28 (talk) 20:45, 9 December 2025 (UTC)

1961

What's the meaning of the D and C in the 1st place cell in the 1961 row? Tvx1 23:39, 29 November 2016 (UTC)

D = Drivers, C = Constructors. In 1961, drivers got 9 points for a win, but constructors only got 8. Crazy, huh? DH85868993 (talk) 01:53, 30 November 2016 (UTC)

I've added tooltips. DH85868993 (talk) 08:36, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

1975

I can't find any reliable sources for deciding between 6/7+6/7 and 7/8+5/6 points formulas. I've seen both mentioned on both English and other languages' wikis. Anyone can trace it to something like the contemporary Autocourse or any other similar source for the year in question? cherkash (talk) 07:52, 16 January 2017 (UTC)

The points table on page 102 of Mike Lang's Grand Prix! Vol 3 splits the season into "1st Part" (the first 7 races) and "2nd Part" (the last 7 races). Splitting the season evenly (i.e. 7/7) is also consistent with other seasons with an even number of races. DH85868993 (talk) 09:34, 16 January 2017 (UTC)

Timeline

Because of the variable number of years per row, I thought it might be nice to have a timeline to visualise how long each system has been used for. I know it doesn't include the best results counted like the table, but that would give it dozens of colours for "one system" and ruin the point. You could do two colours for the 9-6-4-3-2-1 era, 1967–78 was very different from the other years, but to give just that range a different colour feels kind of arbitrary. Anyway, that isn't the main point, first I should know if others think a timeline in the same section as the table is a good idea in the first place. –Ugncreative Usergname (talk) 07:40, 26 February 2018 (UTC)

2014 scoring system

Why isn't the point system from 2014 included in the table list? I understand it's only the last race to be different, but it's actually a different point system than other years and I think it deserves to be recognized. The table as it is now is missing information. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.17.125.236 (talk • contribs)

Note 17 notes that double points were awarded in the last race of 2014. DH85868993 (talk) 09:28, 24 June 2019 (UTC)

Number of races left after championship decision

The amount of races left after the championship decision very much depends on the point system. Not sure if that could properly be explained in a Wikipedia article, but it is one of the deciding factors when it comes to creating a point system. If the difference in points between the first and the second place is larger, the championship might be decided sooner. However if the difference between in points is smaller, the leader will sooner reach the point that will allow him to win the championship with a second place in each of the remaining races. Both scenarios are bad for the competition towards the end of the season. For all past seasons it is possible to calculate both points even with other point systems. Such a table could show which point system would have the fewest remaining races when the championship was decided and the fewest remaining races when second places for the rest of the year would be enough for the leader to decide the championship. Such a table could explain why each point system has pros and cons. Bimmelbammel (talk) 14:27, 10 October 2022 (UTC)

Half points for fastest lap 2019-2021

I believe from 2019 to 2021 the regulations intended half points for fastest lap, too. I don't speak russian, so I can't verify the source given, but this source seems reliable.

As note 'v' states, in the only applicable race (Belgium '21) there was no fastest lap awarded. (Likely because there was virtually no proper lap. The result was taken from Lap 1. But I couldn't find any official statement.) However, if there was a fastest lap from a driver in the Top 10, then 0.5 points would have been given. So it would be more precise to state 'half' for all columns - possibly with an additional row '2019-2021'.

2A02:8108:1880:548:2CD2:180D:17AF:91AC (talk) 13:00, 25 June 2023 (UTC)

Shortened sprints

What percentage of a sprint must be completed for drivers to get full points? (Fran Bosh (talk) 19:46, 30 July 2023 (UTC))

Record for longest span between first and last points scored

In the records section, Michael Schumacher holds the record for longest span of time since first and last points scored: from 8th september 1991 to 25 november 2012, which equates to 7,749 days.

Just a heads up that this record is (most likely) about to be broken by Fernando Alonso, since his first scoring points on March 9th 2003, as the time of writing (19 may 2024), was 7,742 days ago.

So if he scores at least one point in the next round (Monaco, 26 may 2024) he will equal this record; and if he scores any points beyond that date he breaks it. Rondi8 (talk) 00:48, 20 May 2024 (UTC)

I've updated the article following Alonso scoring points in Canada. Thanks for pointing it out. DH85868993 (talk) 12:13, 10 June 2024 (UTC)

Thanks! Rondi8 (talk) 12:55, 10 June 2024 (UTC)

Shortened races

Shouldn't the Shortened races section also be updated with the 2025 abolishment of the point for the fastest lap? Joriswat (talk) 12:28, 3 March 2025 (UTC)

Done SSSB (talk) 18:49, 3 March 2025 (UTC)

@SSSB: Isn't it wrong again? Eurohunter (talk) 16:22, 8 December 2025 (UTC)

Information panel duplication

I'm not certain of what they're called but there is an information panel on the right side of the page with multiple sections and links to other pages etc. However, for some reason there are two of them and they look identical. Is this an oversight? Or should one of them be removed? Nathanieloffer (talk) 09:04, 26 March 2025 (UTC)

@Nathanieloffer: I've removed the second one. Thanks for pointing it out. DH85868993 (talk) 09:32, 26 March 2025 (UTC)

1981 and 1982 seasons

As far as I can tell, only 10 races (half the races plus two) counted in those seasons. See the introduction of the rule on page 10 (PDF page 13) of this FIA Bulletin from December 1980. https://historicdb.fia.com/sites/default/files/regulations/1734383117/154-dec-1980.pdf the original plan for the "new" F1 championship (replacing the World Driver's Championship) had been half plus one in each half season).

The rule of 11 counting (half the races plus 3) is set in the 1983 Sporting Regulations (see article 4) https://historicdb.fia.com/sites/default/files/regulations/1735604398/176-mar-1983.pdf ~2025-39587-28 (talk) 20:53, 9 December 2025 (UTC)

8W says 10 for 1981 but 11 for 1982, whereas David Hayhoe's Grand Prix Data Book says 11 for both seasons (on page 8). Quite confusing! DH85868993 (talk) 10:18, 31 July 2026 (UTC)

Anyone in possession of the 1981 and 1982 FIA year books?Tvx1 11:20, 31 July 2026 (UTC)

According to

• Griffiths, Trevor R. (December 1997) [1992]. Grand Prix: The Complete Guide (3rd ed.). Enderby: Blitz Editions. pp. 299–292. ISBN 1-85605-391-1.

which lists 15 championship races for the 1981 season and 16 for the 1982 season, the 1981 South African Grand Prix was excluded from the championship as a result of continuing squabbles between teams and the authorities. This means that the number of races dropped from 16 to 15 (half of 15 is 7.5; plus 3, rounded down, gives 10).

But it's a hypothetical issue, since in neither season did any driver score points in sufficient races for the rule to kick in. In fact, in 1982, only Keke Rosberg (44 in 10 races) and John Watson (39 in 8 races) scored points in 8 or more races. Other unusual statistics include that no fewer than 26 drivers scored points; there were 11 different winners; and nobody won more than two races. Rosberg won the championship with only one win, but sufficient points from nine other places to total 44 - five more than Pironi and Watson, who each had had two wins (as did Arnoux, Lauda and Prost) and 39 points. --Redrose64 🌹 (talk) 20:54, 31 July 2026 (UTC)

Requested move 3 January 2026

The following is a closed discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a move review after discussing it on the closer's talk page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

The result of the move request was: moved. (closed by non-admin page mover) Jeffrey34555 (talk) 05:13, 10 January 2026 (UTC)

---

List of Formula One World Championship points scoring systems → List of Formula One points systems – Simply, WP:CONCISE. The proposed title is relatively unambiguous and the points system of the World Championship is by far the WP:PRIMARYTOPIC over those of the British and South African Championships. Also WP:CONSISTENT on that matter with circuits, red-flagged races, seasons, drivers, drivers who set a fastest lap, female drivers, and driver numbers. "Scoring" is an unnecessary modifier—it is routinely known simply as a "points system" in secondary media. MB2437 08:08, 3 January 2026 (UTC)

• Note: WikiProject Formula One has been notified of this discussion. SSSB (talk) 09:03, 3 January 2026 (UTC)
• Support – As above. 5225_C (talk • contributions) 09:09, 3 January 2026 (UTC)
• Comment - I'm not fussed either way about the proposed move, but I note that similar articles for other series use the term "points scoring systems": List of American Championship car racing points scoring systems, List of NASCAR points scoring systems, List of FIM World Championship points scoring systems. DH85868993 (talk) 08:27, 6 January 2026 (UTC)

  Good spot. Although consistent, it feels unnecessary across the board, especially for already-lengthy titles. MB2437 11:49, 6 January 2026 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

section on "records in achievements"

if not removed completely, i believe this belongs after the lists. EnTerbury (talk) 12:26, 4 January 2026 (UTC)

Totally agree, it is not the primary focus of the article. I moved the section below the list and added a {{see also}} hatnote to the relevant record articles. MB2437 22:27, 4 January 2026 (UTC)

2022 shortened race notes

The article mentions that full points being awarded for the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix was because of a loop hole specific to the 2022 sporting regulations. I remember this also being widely reported at the time. However, the 2021 sporting regulations use similar language when it comes to suspended races. I have also found the same in the 2003 sporting regulations. So what happened at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2022 could have happened in previous seasons as well and was not specific to 2022. So I think notes u and v should be changed to reflect this. Kingdomfight (talk) 18:48, 21 March 2026 (UTC)

I see your point, but notes u and v are in a row dedicated to 2022 onwards. So the sporting regs before 2022 are not relevant (even if the same issue existed). I would also argue against adding similar notes to the '80 to '21 row since this would be purely hypothetical in those cases. SSSB (talk) 11:42, 22 March 2026 (UTC)