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 last season and was subsequently banned. As we get ready for the 2026 F1 Austrian GP, where do the drivers stand in terms of penalty points? Let’s take a look.
F1 Penalty Points: Who is close to a ban?
#1. Ollie Bearman
Penalty Points: 8
Ollie Bearman now has 8 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).
- Four points: Red Flag infringement in the pitlane during British GP (expires July 5, 2026)
- Two points: Causing a collision with Carlos Sainz at the 2025 Italian GP (expires on September 7, 2026).
#2. Lance Stroll
Penalty Points: 5
Lance Stroll is currently at five 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)
- Two points: Pushing another driver off track at the Canadian GP (expires on June 15, 2026)
#3. Kimi Antonelli
Penalty Points: 5
Kimi Antonelli had a disastrous incident with Charles Leclerc in Zandvoort and is now at 5 F1 penalty points.
- Two points: Causing a collision with Charles Leclerc in the 2025 F1 Dutch GP (expires on August 31, 2026)
- Two points: Causing a collision with Max Verstappen in the 2025 F1 Austrian GP (expires on June 29, 2026)
- One point: Forcing another driver off the track at the 2025 F1 Italian GP (expires on September 7, 2026)
#4. Lewis Hamilton
Penalty Points: 3
The seven-time F1 champion was issued a penalty point for his incident with Franco Colapinto. He’s now at 3 points.
- One point: Causing a collision with Franco Colapinto during the 2025 F1 Brazilian GP (expires on November 1, 2026)
- Two points: for failing to slow down under yellow flags during a reconnaissance lap prior to the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix (expires on 31 August 2026)
#5. Alex Albon
Penalty Points: 3
Alex Albon has three F1 penalty points on his license.
- One point: Causing a collision with Lewis Hamilton at the Las Vegas GP (expires on November 23, 2026)
- Two points: Causing a collision with Franco Colapinto at the Azerbaijan GP (expires on September 21, 2026)
Edited by Charanjot Singh Kohli
