The top 8 finishers in each Grand Prix are awarded points. The points are meant for both the drivers' and the constructors' championships. The point scale is as follows:
- 1st place: 10 points
- 2nd place: 8 points
- 3rd place: 6 points
- 4th place: 5 points
- 5th place: 4 points
- 6th place: 3 points
- 7th place: 2 points
- 8th place: 1 point
If the race is suspended and cannot be restarted; then the following actions are taken.
- If less than 75 per cent of the race distance has been completed half points are awarded
- If less than two laps have been completed, no points are awarded
The point system works like this:
If Lewis Hamilton finishes a Grand Prix in the First place and Fernando Alonso finishes Second; then, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso are awarded 10 and 8 points respectively towards the Drivers' Championship. But, McLaren Mercedes on the other hand, gains (10+8) 18 points towards the Constructors' Championship. If the top two teams are equal in the points scale, then, the team which has won the maximum races will win the Constructors' Championship.
