F1 penalty points before the Abu Dhabi GP: 5 biggest delinquents
The F1 penalty points system was put in place to help keep the driving standards of the sport above a standard. As part of this system, a driver is given penalty points every time he commits a transgression on track. These transgressions could be anything from dangerous driving, causing a collision, speeding in the pit lane, etc.
The F1 penalty points are given based on the severity of the transgression. These points have to stay with the driver for a period of 12 months before expiry. If one reaches 12 points within a 12-month period, the driver gets banned for a race.
Kevin Magnussen became the first driver to be banned under this system for the race in Baku. With that being said, as the sport moves to the last race of the season in Baku, where do the drivers stand in terms of penalty points? Let's take a look.
F1 Penalty Points: Who is close to a ban?
#5. Esteban Ocon
Penalty Points: 3
Ocon got three F1 penalty points in the last 12 months.
- Two points: Causing a collision with Pierre Gasly at the Monaco GP (expires on May 27, 2025)
- One point: Unsafe release during the Miami GP (expires on May 4, 2025)
#4. Lando Norris
Penalty Points: 3
Norris now has three F1 penalty points after Qatar GP.
- Three points: Ignoring yellow flags at the 2024 F1 Qatar GP (expires on December 1, 2025)
#3. Nico Hulkenberg
Penalty Points: 4
Hulkenberg has four F1 penalty points.
- Two points: Causing a collision with Yuki Tsunoda at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix (expires on September 1, 2025)
- Two points: Causing a collision with Fernando Alonso during the 2024 Austrian GP Sprint (expires on June 29, 2025)
#2. Max Verstappen
Penalty Points: 6
Verstappen has six penalty points, with the latest coming at the Qatar GP.
- One point: Driving unnecessarily slowly in the 2024 F1 Qatar GP (expires on December 1, 2025)
- One point: VSC infringement in the 2024 F1 Brazilian GP Sprint (expires on November 2, 2025)
- Two points: Forcing Lando Norris off track during the 2024 F1 Mexican GP (expires on October 28, 2025)
- Two points: Causing a collision with Norris at the 2024 F1 Austrian GP (expires on June 30, 2025)
#1. Fernando Alonso
Penalty Points: 8
Alonso has collected eight F1 penalty points, including two for his divebomb on Zhou Guanyu at the 2024 Austrian GP, which also resulted in a 10-second penalty.
- Two points: Causing a collision with Zhou Guanyu at the F1 Austrian GP (expires on June 30, 2025)
- Three points: Pushing Carlos Sainz off the track at the F1 Chinese GP Sprint (expires on April 20, 2025)
- Three points: "Potentially dangerous driving" against George Russell at the Australian GP (expires on March 24, 2025)