The top eight finishers in each Grand Prix score points towards both the drivers’ and the constructors’ world championships, according to the following scale:
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
(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 Jenson Button finishes third for Brawn GP and team mate Rubens Barrichello fifth, then Button and Barrichello score six and four points respectively towards the drivers’ championship, while Brawn GP score 10 points (six plus four) 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.
