Formula 1: A beginner's guide to F1 Drivers' & Constructors' Championship

Formula 1 (F1) is a thrilling and challenging motorsport where drivers compete in Grand Prix races to determine the world’s fastest. However, it’s not just about the drivers; it’s also about the teams that support them by developing the car, race strategy, sponsorship opportunities, and their presence in the sport. Constructor Standings and Driver Standings are important metrics used to evaluate the performance of both drivers and teams. 

We have covered everything you need to know about the F1 Drivers’ Championship and the Constructors’ Championship in this beginner’s guide.

What is the Formula 1 (F1) Drivers’ Championship?

The Drivers’ Championship, also known as the FIA Formula One World Championship for Drivers, is one of the two Formula One world championships. Grand Prix racing has been a part of the sport since the early days of the vehicle and has been held annually since 1950. Since grand prix wins are so respected and prestigious, the world championship offers a greater prize to the best of the best.

Each Grand Prix results in ten championship points being awarded by the scoring system; the winner receives 25 points, while the 10th driver receives just one point. In Formula One Sprint races, extra points are awarded for the fastest lap of the competition and winning. 

At the end of the year, the driver with the most points wins the title.

The current system allocates points to the top ten finishers as follows:

1st: 25 points

2nd: 18 points

3rd: 15 points

4th: 12 points

5th: 10 points

6th: 8 points

7th: 6 points

8th: 4 points

9th: 2 points

10th: 1 point

What do F1 drivers get when they win?

They receive bonuses from their team in addition to their regular wage, even if they don’t receive cash rewards. Teams, not individual drivers, receive the prize money. More chances for sponsorships and endorsements may arise as a result of winning.

At the end of the season, the driver with the most points overall, regardless of how early they win the championship, is given the prestigious FIA Formula One World Drivers’ Championship Trophy.

What happens if two drivers have the same points at the end of the season?

Although that hasn’t happened previously, they would consider the person who has won the most races. The driver who wins the most races is crowned the winner. If they were tied for the most wins, they would see who finished in second place, and so on, until they discovered a difference that would allow them to declare a winner.

What is the Constructors’ Championship?

In 1958, a second competition was added, allowing a constructor to compete for a world championship. In Formula One, the teams competing in the Constructors’ Championship are recognized in addition to the drivers who win individual accolades. The Constructors’ Championship is more concerned with the teams’ collective performance than the Drivers’ Championship, which emphasizes individual achievement.

The team with the highest point total for the entire season wins this prize, not a single driver. It’s a means of recognizing the group’s contributions, which include those who design, construct, and optimize the vehicle and engine.

Two drivers compete in races for each Formula One team. Even while every driver wants to win on his or her own, the team’s place in the Constructors’ Championship is influenced by all of their performances together.

Who are the F1 Constructors?

For the 2024 season, the Formula One Constructors are as follows. The Team Name indicates the constructor.

TEAM NAME	DRIVERS
Mercedes	Lewis Hamilton & George Russell
Red Bull	Max Verstappen & Sergio Perez
Ferrari	Charles Leclerc & Carlos Sainz
McLaren	Lando Norris & Oscar Piastri
Alpine	Pierre Gasly & Esteban Ocon
VCARB (AlphaTauri)	Daniel Ricciardo & Yuki Tsunoda
Aston Martin	Fernando Alonso & Lance Stroll
Williams	Alex Albon & Logan Sargeant
Suaber (Alfa Romeo)	Zhou Guanyu & Valtteri Bottas
Haas	Kevin Magnussen & Nico Hulkenberg

Does the Constructors’ Championship-winning team always produce the drivers’ champion?

Not every time. The driver from the team that wins the Constructors’ Championship is frequently the one who takes home the Drivers’ Championship. This makes sense since the winning driver usually belongs to the team with the greatest car. But things don’t always work out this way. Ten times since the Constructors’ Championship began in 1958, the team that won the drivers’ championship did not also win the constructors’ title.

For instance, Max Verstappen and Red Bull won the Drivers’ Championship in 2021, but Mercedes won the Constructors’ Championship. Although Verstappen had the most points, the Mercedes team’s Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas combined for more points over the season than Red Bull’s Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.