Which driver scored the most points in a single Formula 1 season?

Max Verstappen scored the most points in a single Formula 1 season, collecting 575 points in 2023.

Verstappen’s record came during one of the most dominant seasons in modern Formula 1 history. Driving for Red Bull Racing, he won 19 of the 22 Grands Prix and also took points in sprint events. His consistency was as important as his victories: he rarely finished outside the top positions and secured his third consecutive world championship.

The raw total can be misleading when comparing different eras. Formula 1 has changed its points system, added sprint races, and expanded the number of events per season. Older champions such as Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel scored fewer points partly because their seasons contained fewer races and offered fewer scoring opportunities.

Verstappen’s 2023 total also exceeded his own previous record of 454 points from 2022. The useful distinction is between the most points in one season and the highest percentage of available points; both records reward dominance, but they measure different things.