What's the Difference Between F1 Constructor Standings and Driver Standings?

This article explores the key differences between the Constructor Standings and Driver Standings, which are the two primary metrics used to measure success in the sport.

F1 is one of the most exciting and challenging forms of motorsport in the modern era. In this high-octane sport, drivers compete in Grand Prix races to determine who is the fastest in the world. But despite this focus on its drivers, it's not just about those behind the wheels of these high-performance racing cars.

It's also about the teams that support them by building and developing not just the car, but the race strategy, the sponsorship opportunities, and their presence in the sport as a whole. 

Constructor Standings and Driver Standings are two important metrics used to evaluate the performance of both drivers and teams. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the differences between these two metrics and we, as fans of F1, use them to decipher what's going on. Here's what you need to know about the difference between the Constructor and Driver Standings. 

Contents

1. What's the difference between F1 Constructor Standings and Driver Standings?
2. Driver Standings
3. Constructor Standings
4. FAQs

What's the difference between F1 Constructor Standings and Driver Standings?

F1 Constructor Standings and Driver Standings are two different ways to measure performance in F1. The primary difference between the two is that Driver Standings focus solely on the performance of individual drivers, while Constructor Standings take into account the performance of the entire team consisting of a pair of drivers.

Driver Standings

Driver Standings are a metric used to determine the performance of the 20 individual drivers in the F1 World Championship. Drivers receive points based on their finishing position and performance in each race, with the winner receiving 25 points, the second-placed driver receiving 18 points, and so on. See the table below for how to calculate how many points a driver gets depending on their performance.

The driver with the most points at the end of the season is crowned the World Champion.

This metric gives you a good understanding of how good a specific driver is. While it does take into account team strategy, pit stop times, and other things that are affected by the team as a whole, it gives you the best measurement of how good the driver, and the driver alone, is. 

In addition to points for finishing position, drivers can also receive additional points for setting the fastest lap during a race. Driver Standings are updated after each race, with the current standings available on the official F1 website.

Position	Points
1	25
2	18
3	15
4	12
5	10
6	8
7	6
8	4
9	2
10	1
Fastest Lap	+1 (if you finish in the top 10)

Constructor Standings

Constructor Standings, on the other hand, measure the performance of the ten teams in the F1 World Championship. Points are awarded to each team based on the finishing position of both of their drivers. So, if both drivers from a team finish in the top ten, the team will receive points for both drivers. The team with the most points at the end of the season is crowned the Constructors' World Champion.

This metric allows you to see the performance as a team on the whole and gives you a more reliable understanding of just how good everyone in the team is, compared to just the driver. 

Like Driver Standings, Constructor Standings are updated after each race, with the current standings available on the official Formula One official website, as well as our own - of course ;)

FAQs

Q: Do Driver Standings and Constructor Standings have the same point system? 

A: Yes. Points are awarded for the same thing, but both team drivers' points are totalled each race.

Q: Why are Constructor Standings important? 

A: Constructor Standings are important because they provide a measure of a team's overall performance throughout the season. This metric takes into account the contributions of both drivers on the team, not just the performance of one individual driver. It also shows which team has the best overall car design and performance, as it is the result of a collective effort from the entire team.

Q: Is there any overlap between Driver Standings and Constructor Standings? 

A: There is some overlap between the two metrics. The performance of individual drivers contributes to the overall performance of the team. If a team has two strong drivers who consistently finish in the top positions, the team is likely to do well in the Constructor Standings. Additionally, the World Champion is often part of the Constructors' World Championship-winning team, as they contribute significantly to the team's overall success.

Q: Why is the most successful Constructor in F1?

A: Ferrari is the most successful team in F1 history, with 16 Constructors' titles to its name and 15 driver titles.