The top ten finishers in each Grand Prix score points towards both the drivers’ and the constructors’ world championships, according to the following scale:

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

(The only exception to this is when a race is suspended and cannot be restarted. If less than 75 per cent of the race distance has been completed half points are awarded, and if less than two laps have been completed, no points are awarded.)

For example, if in a given race Lewis Hamilton finishes second for McLaren and team mate Jenson Button fifth, then Hamilton and Button score 18 and ten points respectively towards the drivers’ championship, while McLaren score 28 points (18 plus 10) towards the constructors’ championship.

The drivers' and constructors' championship titles are awarded to the driver and constructor who score the most points over the course of the season. In the case of a dead heat for a championship place then the driver or constructor with the higher number of superior race results will be awarded the place.