Unlike any other sport, Formula 1 combines tradition and futurism with cutting-edge racing cars that resemble aeroplanes flipped upside down — delivering exhilarating speeds, dazzling engineering and technological ingenuity. Its renowned drivers push themselves and their incredibly innovative machines to the limit, battling extreme g-forces and daring decisions at more than 370kph (230mph).
But they’re not alone in their pursuit of glory, with all F1 teams vying for a coveted title in two different competitions. Drivers battle for the prestigious F1 Drivers Championship, while teams vie for the F1 Constructors Championship — with prize money playing a crucial role in both titles.
Driver points are awarded to the top ten finishers at each race, with 25 going to the winner. Each team also scores points for their position at the end of the season, with the total of both cars counting toward a team’s overall score. The current scoring system includes an extra point for the fastest lap, although that will be removed in 2025. Shortened races, meanwhile, allow for full points to be scored if 75 per cent of the scheduled distance is completed.
It’s rare that the Drivers Championship comes down to a single point, but there have been 19 occasions since the Constructors’ Championship began in 1958. Indeed, the most recent instance saw McLaren pipped Ferrari in Abu Dhabi by a single point when Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri drove their way to glory in 2024.