The F1 penalty points system was introduced by the FIA to help keep the driving standards in check. The sport didn’t have a standardized system in place prior to that, and the penalties would cause a lot of controversy.
To add to this, there was a lack of consistency, which stemmed from the fact that no standardized method had been set up to determine what should and should not happen in case of a certain incident.
As a result, the F1 penalty points system was set up. As a part of this system, drivers are handed out penalty points on the basis of on-track transgressions that they commit. These could be anything from dangerous driving to causing a collision, or, for that matter, just simply speeding in the pit lane.
If a driver accrues 12 F1 penalty points, he gets banned for a race. Kevin Magnussen became the first driver to do so in 2024 and was subsequently banned. As we move on from the 2026 F1 Bahrain GP, who are the closest to a ban? Let’s take a look.
F1 Penalty Points for each driver
#1. Lando Norris
Penalty Points: 0
Lando Norris now has a clean slate in terms of F1 penalty points.
#2. Oscar Piastri
Penalty Points: 2
Oscar Piastri has two F1 penalty points to his name.
- Two points: Causing a collision with Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc at the 2025 Brazilian GP (expires on November 9, 2026)
#3. George Russell
Penalty Points: 0
George Russell has a clean slate now.
#4. Kimi Antonelli
Penalty Points: 1
Kimi Antonelli has one F1 penalty point on his Super License.
- One point: For failing to slow down under yellow flags (expires on July 25, 2027)
#5. Max Verstappen
Penalty Points: 0
While others are accumulating points, Max Verstappen seems to be dropping down the delinquent list. He has a clean slate now.
#6. Isack Hadjar
Penalty Points: 0
Isack Hadjar continues to keep his slate clean for now.
#7. Charles Leclerc
Penalty Points: 0
Charles Leclerc has a clean slate with no F1 penalty points to his name.
#8. Lewis Hamilton
Penalty Points: 1
The seven-time F1 champion was issued a penalty point for his incident with Franco Colapinto. He now has 1 point.
- One point: Causing a collision with Franco Colapinto during the 2025 F1 Brazilian GP (expires on November 9, 2026)
#9. Carlos Sainz
Penalty Points: 4
Carlos Sainz has four penalty points.
- Two points: Yellow Flag Infringement at the F1 Azerbaijan GP
- Two points: Causing a collision with Kimi Antonelli in the US GP (expires on October 20, 2026)
#10. Alex Albon
Penalty Points: 1
Alex Albon has one F1 penalty point on his license.
- One point: Causing a collision with Lewis Hamilton at the Las Vegas GP (expires on November 23, 2026)
#11. Liam Lawson
Penalty Points: 3
Liam Lawson has three F1 penalty points on his Super License.
- One point: Yellow flag infringement in the 2026 Dutch GP (expires on August 23, 2027)
- One point: Driving erratically while defending during the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP (expires on December 7, 2026).
- One point: Causing a collision in the Brazilian GP (expires on November 8, 2026)
#12. Arvid Lindblad
Penalty Points: 2
Arvid Lindblad has two F1 penalty points to his name.
- Two points: Yellow flag infringement in the 2026 Dutch GP (expires on August 23, 2027)
#13. Fernando Alonso
Penalty Points: 0
Fernando Alonso lost his last two F1 penalty points and now has a clean slate.
#14. Lance Stroll
Penalty Points: 3
Lance Stroll currently has three F1 penalty points on his license.
- One point: Change of direction while defending during the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP (expires on December 7, 2026).
- Two points: Causing a collision with Esteban Ocon at the US GP sprint (expires on October 18, 2026)
#15. Esteban Ocon
Penalty Points: 0
Esteban Ocon has a clean slate.
#16. Ollie Bearman
Penalty Points: 2
Ollie Bearman now has 2 F1 penalty points to his name.
- One point: Change of direction while defending during the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP (expires on December 7, 2026)
- One point: Causing a collision with Liam Lawson at the 2025 Brazilian GP sprint (expires on November 8, 2026)
#17. Nico Hulkenberg
Penalty Points: 0
Nico Hulkenberg has no penalty points on his license.
#18. Gabriel Bortoleto
Penalty Points: 2
The Brazilian rookie triggered a major collision at the beginning of the race in Las Vegas. He now has two penalty points.
- Two points: Causing a collision with Lance Stroll at the Las Vegas GP (expires on November 23, 2026)
#19. Pierre Gasly
Penalty Points: 0
Pierre Gasly has no points on his Super License.
#20. Franco Colapinto
Penalty Points: 4
Franco Colapinto has 4 penalty points to his name.
- Two points: Overtaking under yellow flag conditions (expires on Aug 23, 2027)
- One point: Failing to slow for the yellow flag (expires on Aug 23, 2027)
- One point: Failing to slow for the yellow flag (expires on Jun 15, 2027)
#21. Sergio Perez
Penalty Points: 0
Sergio Perez starts the season with a blank slate.
#22. Valtteri Bottas
Penalty Points: 0
Valtteri Bottas has a clean slate.
