A Formula One Grand Prix is an automobile race using open wheel cars. It is organised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). Winners of Formula One Grand Prix races are awarded 25 points. Second places receive 18 points and the following positions are given 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 points respectively. Each season, the points scored at each race are added up. The driver with the most points is declared the winner.

The length of a race is at least 305 kilometers (190 miles). The number of laps depends on the length of the circuit. The race ends when the leader completes the last lap and crosses the finish line. The remaining cars must complete the lap they are on to be given a finishing position. If they are also on the final lap, they are scored as being so many seconds behind the winner. If not, they are scored as being so many laps behind the winner.

When Formula One started in 1950, only eight points were awarded to the winner. An additional point was awarded for the driver with the fastest lap. For some time, only the best number of results counted toward the final score. For example, in 1988, Alain Prost (born 1955) won 16 races, but only 11 counted towards his score of 87 points. Ayrton Senna (1960-1994) only won 8 races, but his points scored for second place in other races took his overall score to 94, making him the winner.

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