MotoGP as a sport can be thrilling and intense, but for new fans, understanding its point system might seem confusing at first. Here, we’ll break it down, explain the difference between the main race and sprint, and take a look at the history of the point system.

The Current System

The MotoGP championship is determined by the accumulation of points over the season. Riders earn points based on their finishing position in a race. Here’s the distribution for the main race:

1st place: 25 points
2nd place: 20 points
3rd place: 16 points
4th place: 13 points
5th place: 11 points
6th place: 10 points
7th place: 9 points
8th place: 8 points
9th place: 7 points
10th place: 6 points
11th place: 5 points
12th place: 4 points
13th place: 3 points
14th place: 2 points
15th place: 1 point

Riders finishing below 15th do not score any points. The points contribute to the Riders’ Championship, Teams’ Championship, and Constructors’ Championship standings.

The Sprint Race and Its Point System

Introduced in the 2023 season, the sprint race is a shorter race held on Saturday. It is approximately half the distance of the main race and offers fewer points. The points distribution for the sprint race is as follows:

1st place: 12 points
2nd place: 9 points
3rd place: 7 points
4th place: 6 points
5th place: 5 points
6th place: 4 points
7th place: 3 points
8th place: 2 points
9th place: 1 point

This addition not only spices up the weekend but also rewards riders who perform well consistently across races.

How the Point System Impacts the Championship

Every point matters in MotoGP. Riders must balance risk and reward: they need to push for a higher finish, which can be worth significant points, but it also comes with the danger of crashes and zero points. The introduction of the sprint race means riders now have more opportunities to score, increasing the stakes throughout the weekend.

For teams, the points earned by their riders are combined to decide the Teams’ Championship, while the Constructors’ Championship considers the highest-scoring rider from each manufacturer in every race.

History of the Point System

The point system has evolved over time to reflect the growing competitiveness and changing format of the sport:

• 1949-1968: Points were awarded to the top 5 riders (1st place: 8 points, 2nd place: 6 points, and so on).
• 1969-1992: The system expanded to reward the top 10 riders, with 1st place earning 15 points.
• 1993-Present: The current system, awarding points to the top 15 finishers, was introduced to ensure more riders and teams are rewarded for their efforts.