F1 penalty points after the Mexican GP: 5 biggest delinquents
The F1 penalty points system was first brought to the sport in 2014, and since then, perhaps surprisingly, only a single driver has crossed the 12-point threshold. The penalty-point system was put in place to keep driving standards above a certain level.
Last season, Pierre Gasly was on 10 points and was on the verge of being banned for a race. This season we've had a driver banned for crossing the 12-point threshold.
With the improved driving standards over the last few years, drivers have been well-behaved on track compared to the yesteryears. Having said that, there are still drivers that have been delinquents a few times in the last 12 months. Who are they? Well, let's take a look as we assess the top 5 delinquents on the 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 (expire November 26, 2024)
- One point: Unsafe release in pit lane at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (expires March 9, 2025)
#4 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 (expire on September 1, 2025)
- Two points: Pushing Fernando Alonso off track at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix (expires on June 29, 2025)
#3 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 (expire on April 21, 2025)
- Three points: Overtaking under yellow flag conditions at the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix (expire on November 17, 2024)
#2 Max Verstappen
Penalty Points: 6
Verstappen now has six penalty points, with the latest coming at the Mexican GP due to his incident with Lando Norris.
- Two points: Forcing Lando Norris off track during the 2024 F1 Mexican GP (expire on October 28, 2025)
- Two points: Causing a collision with Norris at the 2024 F1 Austrian GP (expire on June 30, 2025)
- Two points: Forcing Charles Leclerc off track during the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix (expire on November 19, 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 (expire June 30, 2025)
- Three points: Pushing Carlos Sainz off the track at the F1 Chinese GP Sprint (expire April 20, 2025)
- Three points: Potentially dangerous driving against George Russell at the Australian GP (expire on March 24, 2025)