F1 penalty points after the Abu Dhabi GP: 5 biggest delinquents

The F1 penalty points system was implemented to help prevent the driving standards from falling below a threshold. In the early 2010s, first-lap incidents and collisions happened too often. Furthermore, there were no specific parameters in place that could act as a check against this.

Hence, to improve driving standards, the F1 penalty points system was introduced. As per this system, a driver was handed penalty points for transgressions on track, with the number of points depending on the severity of the transgressions. These points stay with the driver for 12 months before they expire.

If a driver reaches 12 penalty points, he's banned for a race. This season, Kevin Magnussen became the first driver to be banned due to this system.

As the F1 season comes to an end in Abu Dhabi, 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 has gotten 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 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)

#3 Valtteri Bottas

Penalty Points: 5

Bottas accrued a massive five F1 penalty points at Abu Dhabi.

Two points: Causing a collision with Sergio Perez at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (expires on December 12, 2025)
Three points: Causing a collision with Kevin Magnussen at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (expires on December 12, 2025)

#2 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)

#1 Max Verstappen

Penalty Points: 8

Verstappen has eight penalty points now with the driver accruing two more for his collision with Oscar Piastri.

One point: Driving too slow in cooldown lap 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)
Two points: Causing a collision with Oscar Piastri at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (expires on December 12, 2025)