F1 2026 Championship Simulator — Predict who will be champion

The 2026 Formula 1 season promises to be one of the most exciting in recent history. With new technical regulations, Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, and a more competitive driver field than ever, this simulator lets you build your own prediction race by race using the official points system.

The official F1 points system

Formula 1 uses the following points system for the top 10 finishers of each Grand Prix. Additionally, 1 extra point is awarded to the driver who sets the fastest race lap, provided that driver finishes in the top 10.

PositionRace pointsSprint points
1st25 pts8 pts
2nd18 pts7 pts
3rd15 pts6 pts
4th12 pts5 pts
5th10 pts4 pts
6th8 pts3 pts
7th6 pts2 pts
8th4 pts1 pt
9th2 pts—
10th1 pt—
Fastest lap (top 10)+1 pt—

How is the mathematical champion calculated?

A driver becomes mathematical champion when the points gap to the second-placed driver is greater than the total points remaining to be awarded. The simulator calculates this automatically after each entered race.

To calculate the maximum remaining points, we sum 26 points per race (25 for a win + 1 for fastest lap), plus 8 points per sprint on applicable weekends. The 2026 calendar includes 6 sprint races.

The 2026 F1 calendar — 24 Grands Prix

The 2026 season kicks off in Bahrain and spans five continents before closing in Abu Dhabi. Sprint weekends are: China, Miami, Austria, United States, São Paulo, and Qatar, adding 8 extra sprint points in each.

2026 drivers and teams

The 2026 grid brings notable changes from previous years. Lewis Hamilton debuts with Ferrari alongside Leclerc. Kimi Antonelli joins Mercedes as Hamilton's successor. Red Bull keeps Verstappen but promotes Tsunoda as second driver. The field is more balanced than ever thanks to the new technical regulations.

Frequently asked questions

Does the simulator use the real F1 points system?
Yes. It applies the 10 points positions for races (25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1), the fastest lap point for drivers in the top 10, and the sprint points system (8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1). Tie-breaker follows the official criteria: most wins, then second places, then third places.
Can I save my prediction?
Yes. Use the "Save" button to download a JSON file with all your results. You can load it again with the "Load" button to continue where you left off, even on another device.
What does the "Simulate rest" button do?
It automatically fills all unset races by assigning the current podium (1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the championship) to the remaining races. Useful to see when the leader would become mathematical champion if they maintained their pace.
Why isn't the fastest lap available in all selectors?
The fastest lap only scores points if the driver is in the top 10. In the simulator you can assign it to any driver, but remember that in reality it only counts if that driver finishes in the top 10 of the race.