F1 penalty points after the Qatar GP: 5 biggest delinquents

The F1 penalty points system was introduced in 2014 to keep the driving standards above a certain threshold. If the drivers reach 12 penalty points within in a 12-month period they face a race ban.

The points are given on the basis of driver transgressions and these transgressions can range from dangerous driving to speeding through the pitlane. This year, Kevin Magnussen became the first driver to get banned according to this system. The driver had accumulated 12 points within a year and was given a one race ban for the F1 Azerbaijan GP.

With the largely eventful F1 Qatar GP in the rearview mirror, who are the top 5 delinquents on the grid in terms of F1 penalty points? Let's take a look.

F1 Penalty Points: Who is close to a ban?

#5. Lando Norris

Penalty Points: 3

Norris now has 3 F1 penalty points after Qatar GP.

Three points: Ignoring yellow flags at the 2024 F1 Qatar GP (expires on December 1, 2025)

#4. Sergio Perez

Penalty Points: 3

Sergio Perez has accumulated three penalty points.

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