F1 penalty points before the Mexican GP: 5 biggest delinquents

The F1 penalty points system was put in place to keep the driving standards above a threshold. As part of the system, the drivers are penalized for the transgressions they make on the track. These transgressions could be causing a collision, dangerous driving, etc.

The number of points for a transgression depends on the severity of the act. These points stay with the driver for a period of 12 months before they expire. If a driver ends up having more than 12 F1 penalty points, they are banned for one race.

As part of the current system, only one driver has ever crossed the 12 F1 penalty points threshold. It was Kevin Magnussen this season. As a result, the Dane had to sit out from the race in Baku.

As we head to the F1 Mexican GP, let's take a look at the top 5 delinquents on the current grid.

F1 Penalty Points: Who is close to a ban?

#5 Sergio Perez

Penalty Points: 3

Perez has three F1 penalty points, tied with Logan Sargeant and Fernando Alonso, for five different violations.

Two points: Causing a collision with Lando Norris at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (expires November 26, 2024)
One point: Unsafe release in pit lane at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (expires March 9, 2025)

#4 Max Verstappen

Penalty Points: 4

Verstappen has four penalty points, with the latest coming at the Austrian GP due to his collision with Lando Norris.

Two points: Causing a collision with Norris at the 2024 F1 Austrian GP (expires on June 30, 2025)
Two points: Forcing Charles Leclerc off track during the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix (expires on November 19, 2024)

#3 Nico Hulkenberg

Penalty Points: 4

Hulkenberg has four F1 penalty points so far.

Two points: Causing a collision with Yuki Tsunoda at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix (expires on September 1, 2025)
Two points: Pushing Fernando Alonso off track at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix (expires on June 29, 2025)

#2 Lance Stroll

Penalty Points: 5

Stroll has collected five penalty points over the past 12 months, including the two-point penalty incurred for causing a collision with Daniel Ricciardo in China.

Two points: Causing a collision with Daniel Ricciardo at the Chinese GP (expires on April 21, 2025)
Three points: Overtaking under yellow flag conditions at the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix (expires on November 17, 2024)

#1 Fernando Alonso

Penalty Points: 8

Alonso has accumulated eight F1 penalty points, including a 10-second penalty and two penalty points for a collision with Zhou Guanyu at the Austrian GP.

Two points: Causing a collision with Zhou Guanyu at the F1 Austrian GP (expires June 30, 2025)
Three points: Pushing Carlos Sainz off the track at the F1 Chinese GP Sprint (expires April 20, 2025)
Three points: Potentially dangerous driving against George Russell at the Australian GP (expires on March 24, 2025)