The F1 penalty points system was introduced in 2014 to maintain high driving standards in the sport. It was implemented after a noticeable decline in driving discipline in the early 2010s, leading to numerous on-track incidents. A significant example was when Romain Grosjean was banned for a first-lap crash in Belgium in 2012.
Under this system, drivers are assigned penalty points for infractions such as dangerous driving or causing collisions. These points remain on a driver’s record for 12 months before expiring. Any driver who accumulates 12 penalty points within that period faces a race ban. With 18 races completed in the 2024 season and six more to go, let’s take a closer look at where each driver currently stands with their penalty points.
1. Lewis Hamilton:
Penalty Points: 0
The seven-time world champion has maintained a clean slate over the last 12 months, with no penalty points on his record.
2. George Russell:
Penalty Points: 2
Russell picked up two penalty points during the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix for causing a collision with Max Verstappen. These points will expire on November 19, 2024.
3. Max Verstappen:
Penalty Points: 4
The reigning world champion has accumulated four penalty points. Two of these came from a collision with Lando Norris at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix, which will expire on June 30, 2025. The other two were for forcing Charles Leclerc off the track at the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix, with those expiring on November 19, 2024.
4. Sergio Perez:
Penalty Points: 3
Perez has collected three penalty points, two of which were from a collision with Lando Norris at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (expiring November 26, 2024). The remaining point was for an unsafe release during the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (expiring March 9, 2025).
5. Charles Leclerc:
Penalty Points: 0
Leclerc has managed to maintain a clean record with no penalty points over the past year.
6. Carlos Sainz:
Penalty Points: 1
Sainz has one penalty point, which was issued for a collision with Oscar Piastri at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix. This point will expire on May 5, 2025.
7. Lando Norris:
Penalty Points: 0
Norris has kept his record spotless, with no penalty points.
8. Oscar Piastri:
Penalty Points: 0
Piastri also has a clean record, having avoided any penalty points despite a collision with Esteban Ocon in Austin last season.
9. Fernando Alonso:
Penalty Points: 8
Alonso has the highest number of penalty points among all drivers, totaling eight. He received two points for causing a collision with Guanyu Zhou at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix (expiring June 30, 2025). Three points were given for pushing Carlos Sainz off the track during the F1 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint (expiring April 20, 2025), and another three were for dangerous driving against George Russell at the Australian Grand Prix (expiring March 24, 2025).
10. Lance Stroll:
Penalty Points: 5
Stroll has collected five penalty points, including two for causing a collision with Daniel Ricciardo at the Chinese Grand Prix (expiring April 21, 2025). He also received three points for overtaking under yellow flag conditions during the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix (expiring November 17, 2024).
11. Esteban Ocon:
Penalty Points: 3
Ocon has three penalty points, with two coming from a collision with teammate Pierre Gasly at the Monaco Grand Prix (expiring May 27, 2025). He earned one more for an unsafe release during the Miami Grand Prix (expiring May 4, 2025).
12. Pierre Gasly:
Penalty Points: 0
Gasly has no penalty points as of now, maintaining a clean record.
13. Daniel Ricciardo:
Penalty Points: 3
Ricciardo holds three penalty points. Two were for overtaking under a safety car at the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix (expiring April 21, 2025), and one was for forcing Nico Hulkenberg off track at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix (expiring September 1, 2025).
14. Yuki Tsunoda:
Penalty Points: 0
Tsunoda has managed to keep a clean record after the race in Monza.
15. Franco Colapinto:
Penalty Points: 0
As a newcomer to F1, Colapinto has a clean record with no penalty points.
16. Alex Albon:
Penalty Points: 0
Albon has also kept his record clean, with no penalty points.
17. Kevin Magnussen:
Penalty Points: 0
After serving a ban, Magnussen currently has no penalty points.
18. Nico Hulkenberg:
Penalty Points: 4
Hulkenberg has accumulated four penalty points, with two from a collision with Yuki Tsunoda at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix (expiring September 1, 2025) and two for pushing another driver off track (expiring June 29, 2025).
19. Valtteri Bottas:
Penalty Points: 2
Bottas has two penalty points from a collision with Lance Stroll during the 2023 Mexican Grand Prix. These points will expire on October 29, 2024.
20. Guanyu Zhou:
Penalty Points: 0
Zhou has a clean slate, with no penalty points on his record.
F1 Penalty points: Who is closer to getting banned?
