f1 fastest lap award

F1 Points System: How does it work? Let’s dive into the standings

Tyre battle in a frenzy for every point – you can feel the tension at every Formula 1 race! While one of the passing Mercedes or Red Bull drivers turns into the pits to get new tires for the fastest race time. How does the F1 points system work and what do we need to know about it? Let’s get started with the scoring!

The change in the rules in Formula 1 means new additional opportunities to score points during race week. The old F1 points system suggested that teams and drivers should only score in Sunday’s race. With the new rules in 2021, and in particular the format of F1 sprint qualifying, drivers from the other side of the grid, like Williams, are also have the ability to add value to the team. Why does it affect the Williams? George Russell – the Williams driver showed off his amazing speed during practice and qualifying for the 2021 F1 season.

F1 points system in 2021 season

Formula 1 drivers’ plans for race week.

After flying to the circuit from Monday to Wednesday, Thursday is the first day on which the driver looks at the grid and enters the track. Friday’s practice allows the best settings for Saturday to be targeted. A place in the top five in qualifying increases the chances of Sunday’s race and the F1 constructors’ championship points.

There are a lot of assumptions – the real statistics or the big theory that the driver who qualifies for the top 10 will most likely score points during the race. Therefore, the qualifying sessions have a special tension among the Formula 1 teams. Sunday’s race is the point: everything will be put right or the opposite, will bring chaos to Saturday’s order. Here are the points F1 drivers get depending on the finished place.

1st: 252nd: 183rd: 154th: 125th: 10
6th: 87th: 68th: 49th: 210th: 1

Sprint qualifying changes the F1 points system.

One of the main reasons why the new 2021 F1 Sprint qualifying format has been criticized by both racing fans and those on the other side of the pit lane is that the sprint turns the race weekend upside down. Although the 2021 season is the premiere for a new sprint race, some changes are needed. Therefore, our more traditional qualifying sessions have been postponed to Friday, as the F1 Sprint takes place on Saturday. In any case, the Formula 1 Sprint is a race, even if only for 20 minutes. The drivers get points for the first three places.

1st: 32nd: 23rd: 1

In contrast to the entire race on Sunday, the fastest lap in the mini race is without a bonus point.

F1 fastest lap in points system
Hungarian Grand Prix 2021 – fastest lap

F1 points plus another score for the fastest lap.

Every driver on the starting grid can get the point for the fastest lap during the race. Everyone, who drives the fast car. According to official statistics, there are not many drivers who have taken the coveted score. Pierre Gasly is one of them. Alpha Tauri driver also won the Hungarian Grand Prix 2021 and drove the fastest DHL lap at the Hungaroring – 1: 18: 334. Most common cases are drivers from Mercedes and Red Bull. It must be said that Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have prepared very well for this. Often they raced quickly around the good gap and went to the pits to change the tires.

Half Points in Formula 1

Let us guess, you ask yourself – is the 0.5 point for task that is partially completed? The correct answer – yes and no. For example, the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix, which took place only for two laps through the rain wall, officially ended. However, drivers must complete at least ten laps to get the real points. That means half of the point. The other case of such a half of the total point is when both drivers complete the fastest lap with a equivalent time.

What is the point of scores in Formula 1?

The points in Formula 1 is the indicator of the results of successful work. Just ask someone who is fastest? Probably the simple answer is – is the team or driver who leads the overall standings in Formula 1. Although the coveted points are more than results, it is also about money.

The percentage of the income from the championship is divided equally among the 10 teams. But 23.75 percent of the total profit of Formula 1 is awarded due to the place of the teams in the overall standings. The top three will get $66 million, while the final spot, Williams in 2020, gets about $15 million.

You might ask – why does Hass F1 manage to compete in the 2021 Formula 1 season when you already know – it’s not a profitable idea at all? That’s not as easy as it could be. Haas F1 Team will also earn revenue, even if the two drivers Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher will not score any points at all. Haas has already added up the balance because the deal with the Russian driver has earned the team around 40 million dollars. Mick Schumacher also helped the Haas F1. The German driver attracted the attention of potential future sponsors and boosted the team’s ratings.

Lando Norris - Driver of the day
Lando Norris – Driver of the day

So it is not only a matter of honor for everyone to win in the points system of Formula 1, but also an excellent F1 drivers salary increase! In Formula 1 there are various awards: “Driver of the Day,” “DHL Fastest Pit Stop” or “Overtaking Award.” These only increase the evaluation of the team and the drivers, but do not bring any points. Although, it is only a matter of time.