Breaking: Lawson Penalized, Verstappen Could Face Possible Ban Following his…read more
As the 2025 Formula 1 season gains momentum, the FIA’s penalty points system has become a focal point, with several drivers edging closer to the dreaded race ban threshold. The system, designed to regulate driver behavior on track, has been enforced more strictly in recent seasons, and 2024 marked a significant shift with more liberal applications of the rules.
The system functions similarly to penalty points for everyday road users. Each F1 driver has a 12-point limit on their FIA Super Licence within a rolling 12-month period. Accumulating 12 points results in an automatic one-race suspension. Points are handed out based on the severity of rule violations, and they expire one year after the incident.
In a landmark moment last September, Kevin Magnussen became the first F1 driver to receive a race ban under this system, reaching the full 12-point limit. Since then, the stakes have only grown, with more drivers accumulating points at a faster rate.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen currently finds himself in the precarious position of leading the penalty points standings, with eight points on his licence. These won’t start expiring until late June 2025, forcing the reigning World Champion to proceed with caution during the early part of the season if he hopes to avoid a suspension.
The recent Australian Grand Prix proved to be a clean weekend, with no drivers adding to their tally. However, that changed in Shanghai, where Jack Doohan became the first driver in 2025 to pick up penalty points, receiving four across the sprint and main races. Veteran Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, had five points fall off his record recently, offering him some breathing room.
One of the most notable updates comes from Liam Lawson, who was handed two separate penalties at the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix. The stewards deemed him responsible for two collisions—one with Lance Stroll and another with Nico Hulkenberg—resulting in a total of three new penalty points. Combined with previous infractions, Lawson now sits on five points.
Here’s a summary of the current penalty point standings among active drivers:
Liam Lawson (5 points)
2 points: Collision with Valtteri Bottas (Qatar 2024, expires Dec 1, 2025)
1 point: Collision with Lance Stroll (Bahrain 2025, expires Apr 13, 2026)
2 points: Collision with Nico Hulkenberg (Bahrain 2025, expires Apr 13, 2026)
Nico Hulkenberg (4 points)
2 points: Collision with Fernando Alonso (Austrian Sprint 2024, expires Jun 30, 2025)
2 points: Collision with Yuki Tsunoda (Italy 2024, expires Sep 1, 2025)
Jack Doohan (4 points)
2 points: Collision with Gabriel Bortoleto (China Sprint 2025, expires Mar 22, 2026)
2 points: Forcing Isack Hadjar off track (China 2025, expires Mar 23, 2026)
Oscar Piastri (4 points)
2 points: Collision with Liam Lawson (Brazil 2024, expires Nov 2, 2025)
2 points: Collision with Franco Colapinto (Abu Dhabi 2024, expires Dec 8, 2025)
Esteban Ocon (3 points)
1 point: Unsafe release (Miami Sprint 2024, expires May 4, 2025)
2 points: Collision with Pierre Gasly (Monaco 2024, expires May 26, 2025)
Lando Norris (3 points)
3 points: Failing to slow for double yellow flags (Qatar 2024, expires Dec 1, 2025)
Carlos Sainz (3 points)
1 point: Collision with Oscar Piastri (Miami 2024, expires May 5, 2025)
2 points: Forcing Kimi Antonelli off track (Bahrain 2025, expires Apr 13, 2026)
Two-Point Drivers:
Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso, Oliver Bearman, and Alex Albon each sit on two points for separate incidents in 2024.
George Russell (1 point)
Penalized for not keeping the required distance behind the Safety Car in Qatar 2024 (expires Dec 1, 2025)
Zero-Point Drivers:
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Gabriel Bortoleto, Pierre Gasly, Isack Hadjar, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Yuki Tsunoda have clean records going into the current stretch of the season.
Inactive Drivers with Active Points:
Franco Colapinto, Valtteri Bottas, and Daniel Ricciardo still have unexpired points on their licences, despite not currently competing in the 2025 season.
With the FIA keeping a watchful eye, drivers must be more mindful than ever. The strict application of the rules has already sidelined one competitor, and several others are skating on thin ice. As the championship battle heats up, avoiding disciplinary setbacks could be just as crucial as on-track performance.
