The 2010 F1 season was won by Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing, who took the drivers’ title with 256 points and the constructors’ title with 498. It was a 19-race championship that went to a four-way decider in Abu Dhabi, where Vettel became the youngest champion in the sport’s history at the time.
2010 F1 Season at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Races | 19, from Bahrain (14 March) to Abu Dhabi (14 November) |
| Teams | 12 constructors |
| Drivers’ champion | Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 256 points |
| Runner-up | Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 252 points |
| Third and fourth | Mark Webber (Red Bull) 242, Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 240 |
| Constructors’ champion | Red Bull, 498 points (first title) |
| Constructors’ runner-up | McLaren-Mercedes 454, then Ferrari 396 |
| Race winners | Vettel 5, Alonso 5, Webber 4, Hamilton 3, Jenson Button 2 |
| Pole positions | Vettel 10, Webber 5, Alonso 2, Hamilton 1, Nico Hulkenberg 1 |
Teams and Drivers
Three new teams arrived: Lotus Racing, Virgin Racing and Hispania Racing (HRT). Mercedes also returned as a works team, built from the 2009 champions Brawn GP, and Michael Schumacher came back after three years away.
BMW and Toyota had left, so only four engine suppliers remained: Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault and Cosworth. Robert Kubica moved to Renault and finished eighth with 136 points.
2010 F1 Cars and Rules
The big technical change was the ban on in-race refuelling, the first in F1 since 1993. Cars carried a full fuel load at the start, so they were heavier early on and tyre management mattered more.
- Engines: 2.4-litre V8s from Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault and Cosworth.
- Red Bull RB6: the title-winning car, powered by the Renault RS27-2010 engine.
- Tyres: Bridgestone supplied every team in its last season; Pirelli took over for 2011.
- Front tyres: narrowed from 270 mm to 245 mm.
- Minimum weight: raised from 605 kg to 620 kg.
- KERS: cars could be built for it, but the teams agreed not to use it in 2010.
2010 F1 Points System
A new system paid the top ten finishers 25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 points. A win became worth far more than before, which rewarded drivers who took risks for victories.
Key Moments of the 2010 Season
- Hockenheim team orders: Ferrari had Felipe Massa let Alonso pass for the German Grand Prix win. The team was fined US$100,000.
- Valencia safety car: a disputed safety car ruling led to a drive-through penalty for Hamilton at the European Grand Prix.
- Abu Dhabi finale: Vettel, Webber, Alonso and Hamilton could all win the title. Vettel won the race and the championship, while Alonso finished seventh behind Vitaly Petrov.
- Lotus Racing: the new team scored no points; its best finish was 12th for Heikki Kovalainen in Japan.
More F1 History
For related reading, see our guides to the Williams F1 team, the history of auto racing and the landmark Japanese race cars. To see how today’s cars differ, read are F1 cars electric.
2010 F1 Season FAQ
Who won the 2010 F1 season?
Sebastian Vettel won the 2010 drivers’ title with Red Bull Racing, scoring 256 points. Red Bull also took the constructors’ title with 498 points.
How many races were in the 2010 F1 season?
There were 19 races, starting with the Bahrain Grand Prix on 14 March and ending with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 14 November.
How close was the 2010 F1 title fight?
Four drivers could win the title going into the Abu Dhabi finale. Vettel won it by four points over Fernando Alonso, with Mark Webber third on 242 and Lewis Hamilton fourth on 240.
What points system did F1 use in 2010?
The top ten finishers scored 25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 points. Earlier seasons only scored the top eight.
Did F1 cars refuel during races in 2010?
No. In-race refuelling was banned for 2010 for the first time since 1993, so cars started with a full race fuel load and tyre strategy became more important.
Which new teams joined F1 in 2010?
Lotus Racing, Virgin Racing and Hispania Racing (HRT) made their debuts. Michael Schumacher also returned, driving for Mercedes.
