Following an intense Formula 1 triple-header, the drivers now have a brief pause before heading to the Canadian Grand Prix. Max Verstappen finds himself in a critical situation as the recent Spanish Grand Prix penalties have brought him just one point shy of an automatic one-race suspension.
Verstappen received a ten-second time penalty and three penalty points for a late-race incident with George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix. Despite instructions from his team to let Russell pass, Verstappen initially slowed but then accelerated aggressively into Russell through a corner, prompting race officials to impose harsh sanctions. This latest addition of penalty points puts him perilously close to the 12-point threshold that activates a mandatory race ban under FIA regulations.
Understanding How FIA Penalty Points Work in Formula 1
Formula 1 drivers hold an FIA Super License, analogous to a driver’s road license but designed for professional racing. To ensure on-track safety and regulate behaviors, race stewards can assign penalty points to drivers’ Super Licenses for serious infractions such as causing collisions or disregarding flag rules. These penalty points serve as progressive warnings for unacceptable conduct.
If a driver accumulates 12 penalty points within a calendar year, they face an automatic suspension for one race weekend. For instance, last season, Kevin Magnussen was suspended from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after reaching the penalty limit at the Italian Grand Prix. Penalty points remain on the license for twelve months, after which they expire, allowing drivers to reset their status over time.
Current Standings: Drivers with Penalty Points on Their Licenses
As the mid-season unfolds, several drivers are carrying penalty points. Among them, Max Verstappen is the most jeopardized due to his accumulation nearing the suspension threshold. Below is an assessment of notable drivers with penalty points, beginning with Verstappen.
Max Verstappen: One Point from Suspension
Max Verstappen, aiming for his fifth consecutive world title, now faces a critical challenge as he holds 11 out of the 12 points needed for a one-race ban. His penalty points cover a series of incidents across several Grands Prix:
- Two points from a collision with Lando Norris at the Austrian Grand Prix, expiring June 30, 2025.
- Two points for forcing Norris off-track in Mexico City, expiring October 27, 2025.
- One point for not respecting the minimum delta under a Virtual Safety Car in São Paulo, expiring November 1, 2025.
- One point for driving too slowly on the cooldown lap in Qatar, expiring December 1, 2025.
- Two points for colliding with Oscar Piastri at Abu Dhabi, expiring December 8, 2025.
- Three points for the recent collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix, expiring June 1, 2026.
This mix of old and recent infractions forces Verstappen to drive cautiously in upcoming races, especially in Canada and Austria, where any further penalty could trigger a suspension.
Liam Lawson: Accrued Six Penalty Points
Liam Lawson, who started the season as Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull but later moved to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, has also collected penalty points through various collisions:
- Two points for a collision with Valtteri Bottas in Qatar, expiring December 1, 2025.
- One point for an incident involving Lance Stroll in Bahrain, expiring April 13, 2026.
- Two points for causing a collision with Nico Hülkenberg, also in Bahrain, expiring April 13, 2026.
- One point after an incident with Fernando Alonso at the Miami Grand Prix.
Nico Hülkenberg Holds Four Points after Strong Spanish GP Finish
Despite a solid fifth place finish in Spain, veteran driver Nico Hülkenberg carries four penalty points, with two separate two-point penalties from earlier collisions:
- Two points for a collision with Fernando Alonso during Austria, expiring June 30, 2025.
- Two points for causing a collision with Yuki Tsunoda in Qatar, expiring December 1, 2025.
Oscar Piastri Maintains Four Penalty Points While Leading the Championship
Although leading the drivers‘ standings, Oscar Piastri has accumulated four penalty points from incidents late last year:
- Two points for causing a collision with Liam Lawson in São Paulo, expiring November 2, 2025.
- Two points for an accident with Franco Colapinto at Abu Dhabi, expiring December 8, 2025.
Oliver Bearman Doubles His Penalty Points as a Rookie
Rookie Oliver Bearman started the season with two penalty points but doubled this following events at São Paulo and Monaco:
- Two points for causing a collision with Franco Colapinto in São Paulo, expiring November 2, 2025.
- Two points for overtaking under red-flag conditions during Monaco practice.
Lance Stroll Carries Three Points Amid Injury Concerns
Lance Stroll began the season with four points, two of which recently expired. His current tally includes:
- Two points for causing a collision with Alexander Albon in Qatar, expiring December 1, 2025.
- One point for an accident in practice with Charles Leclerc at Monaco.
Stroll’s ongoing injury forced him to withdraw from the Spanish Grand Prix, complicating his campaign further.
Lando Norris: Three Penalty Points from Last Season
Lando Norris retains three penalty points received from a double yellow flag infringement in Qatar last season. Despite a 10-second race penalty dropping him from second to the back of the field, he managed to finish tenth. These points expire on December 1, 2025.
Fernando Alonso and Other Drivers with Fewer Points
Fernando Alonso now holds only two points after several expired penalties, from a collision with Zhou Guanyu in Austria that will expire June 30, 2025. Other drivers with two penalty points include Alexander Albon, Carlos Sainz Jr., and Franco Colapinto for various incidents ranging from collisions to forcing other drivers off-track.
George Russell and Esteban Ocon’s Penalty Point Profiles
George Russell carries a single penalty point for failing to maintain distance behind the Safety Car in Qatar, expiring December 1, 2025. Esteban Ocon, transferring to Haas for 2025, brings three points from an unsafe pit release in Miami and causing a collision with teammate Pierre Gasly at Monaco, expiring in May 2025.
Which F1 Competitors Enter Summer With a Clean Disciplinary Record?
Several prominent drivers have no penalty points as they progress into the middle of the season. These include Kimi Antonelli, Gabriel Bortoleto, Esteban Ocon (all prior points expired), Pierre Gasly, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Yuki Tsunoda. Maintaining a clean record will be critical as pressure increases throughout the championship fight.
Inactive Drivers Holding Penalty Points Ahead of the 2025 Season
Some drivers who may not be starting the 2025 season still have outstanding penalty points on their licenses. Reserve driver Valtteri Bottas, linked to the new Cadillac F1 Team, holds five points from incidents in Abu Dhabi, all expiring in December 2025. Jack Doohan, recently replaced mid-season, carries four points from collisions at the Chinese Grand Prix expiring in March 2026. Daniel Ricciardo also retains one penalty point from the Italian Grand Prix, expiring September 1, 2025.
Implications and Outlook for Verstappen and the Championship Battle
Max Verstappen’s precarious position on the penalty points ladder heightens tension for the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix, where discipline will be crucial to avoid a costly suspension. The threat of a one-race ban underscores the increasing pressure on all drivers to adhere strictly to FIA regulations amid an intensely competitive season.
For Verstappen, maintaining composure will be vital to continue his pursuit of a record fifth consecutive title, while other drivers also face mounting consequences if they continue accumulating penalties. How the FIA manages penalties this season will significantly influence team strategies and driver behaviors, potentially reshaping championship dynamics as the calendar advances.
