F1 2025 Penalty Points: Max Verstappen facing race BAN as F1…read more
In the world of Formula 1, penalty points have become an increasingly important aspect of a driver’s career, serving as a marker for their behavior on and off the track. These points are added to a driver’s superlicense for various infringements and can eventually lead to a race ban if a driver accumulates too many. The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix was a busy weekend for the FIA and the stewards, as a number of drivers faced penalties, but the most significant news revolved around the penalty point standings, especially for Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso.
The weekend saw a dramatic turn of events, with three drivers — Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Pierre Gasly — all being disqualified from the race following post-race checks. These disqualifications were due to technical infringements related to each car, but, in a notable development, none of these disqualifications resulted in additional penalty points being added to the drivers’ records. Despite this, penalty points were still being handed out across the weekend, highlighting the ongoing enforcement of racing regulations.
One driver who saw his penalty point tally increase significantly over the weekend was Jack Doohan. By the end of the Chinese Grand Prix, Doohan had accumulated four penalty points, a sharp rise from having none on Friday evening. His current rate of accruing penalty points — four in just three races — puts him on a trajectory where he could be suspended for a race as early as the Spanish Grand Prix in June. However, it’s worth noting that the pace at which he has been collecting points is unlikely to continue, and he may be able to avoid reaching the suspension threshold.
Meanwhile, the focus on penalty points shifted to two of the sport’s biggest stars — Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso. Both drivers are now dangerously close to the penalty point limit, which could result in a one-race ban. Verstappen, the reigning World Champion, and Alonso, the F1 legend, have both reached eight penalty points, leaving them with just four points before hitting the limit that would trigger an automatic suspension for a race. This is a serious concern for both drivers, as they are now just one infraction away from a race ban, which could have significant consequences on their respective seasons.
Max Verstappen, in particular, is closely monitored as he has proven to be a highly competitive and aggressive driver, often pushing the boundaries of racing regulations. His current tally of eight points will remain on his record until June 30, 2025, meaning he has some time before those points expire. However, with his aggressive driving style, Verstappen will need to be cautious not to accrue any more penalty points that could jeopardize his participation in future races.
Alonso, too, finds himself in a similar position, with his points tally rising to eight. The experienced Spaniard has had his fair share of controversial moments on the track, and while he remains a fan favorite and a title contender, the risk of a race ban looms as he approaches the penalty point limit.
Overall, the penalty point system in Formula 1 continues to be an important tool for enforcing rules and maintaining safety standards. The situation of drivers like Verstappen and Alonso serves as a reminder of the fine line that top-level drivers must walk between aggressive racing and adherence to the regulations. As the season progresses, the tally of penalty points for many drivers will continue to fluctuate, and the risk of a race ban for Verstappen and Alonso will remain a key storyline to follow in 2025.
