F1 2025 Penalty Points: Max Verstappen facing race BAN as F1 legend nears…readmore
Max Verstappen Faces Race Ban as Penalty Points Mount in 2025 F1 Season
Penalty points have become a key aspect of Formula 1 regulations, and the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix highlighted their growing significance. The weekend was filled with notable disciplinary actions from the FIA, with several drivers facing penalties, although the outcome for some was not as severe as others might have expected.
After the race, three prominent drivers—Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Pierre Gasly—were disqualified due to issues with their cars during post-race checks. However, despite the disqualifications, none of these drivers were assigned penalty points to their superlicenses, which meant they avoided further repercussions from the FIA. This decision was significant given the intense scrutiny surrounding these high-profile drivers, but it also underscored the stewards’ discretion in the application of penalty points.
While the disqualifications did not contribute to penalty points for Hamilton, Leclerc, and Gasly, the weekend still saw a number of penalty points handed out. Jack Doohan, for example, accumulated four penalty points over the course of the race weekend. This marked a significant jump for the Australian driver, who had no penalty points heading into the event. Doohan’s increase in points was a reminder of how quickly drivers can accumulate penalties over a short period.
As for reigning champion Max Verstappen, his penalty point tally is also beginning to rise, leaving him on the brink of a race ban. Drivers in Formula 1 can accumulate penalty points on their superlicenses for various infractions, and a certain threshold of points—12 within a 12-month period—can result in a race ban. Verstappen, one of the sport’s most dominant figures, is now facing a situation where further penalties could jeopardize his participation in upcoming races. This puts extra pressure on the Dutch driver to maintain a clean record in future events, as any additional penalties could severely impact his title defense.
The 2025 season is still in its early stages, but it has already shown how crucial penalty points can be in shaping the outcomes of the championship. With Verstappen approaching the race ban threshold, the rest of the grid will be watching closely to see how he manages his conduct moving forward. The Chinese Grand Prix served as a reminder that in Formula 1, both performance on track and adherence to regulations are paramount to securing long-term success.
