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The F1 penalty points system was put in place primarily with the objective of keeping the driving standards above a certain level. In 2014, the F1 penalty points system was introduced to keep the drivers in check and minimize accidents by penalizing drivers for unsafe driving, causing collisions on track.
As part of this system, drivers are given penalty points based on the transgression they commit on the track. The number of points depends on the severity of the transgression.
Once a driver reaches 12 F1 penalty points over a season, he is banned from a race. Kevin Magnussen became the first driver to experience it this season when he was banned from the race in Baku.
With that being said, who are the top 5 delinquents on the F1 grid currently? Let's take a look.
F1 Penalty Points: Who is close to a ban?
#5 Sergio Perez
Penalty Points: 3
Perez has eight F1 penalty points, tied with Logan Sargeant and Alonso, for five different violations.
- Two points: Causing a collision with Lando Norris at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (expires November 26, 2024)
- One point: Unsafe release in pit lane at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (expires March 9, 2025)
#4 Max Verstappen
Penalty Points: 4
Verstappen has four penalty points, with the latest coming at the Austrian GP due to his collision with Lando Norris.
- Two points: Causing a collision with Norris at the 2024 F1 Austrian GP (expires on June 30, 2025)
- Two points: Forcing Charles Leclerc off track during the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix (expires on November 19, 2024)
#3 Nico Hulkenberg
Penalty Points: 4
Hulkenberg has four F1 penalty points so far.
- Two points: Causing a collision with Yuki Tsunoda at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix (expires on September 1, 2025)
- Two points: Pushing a Fernando Alonso off track at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix (expires on June 29, 2025)
#2 Lance Stroll
Penalty Points: 5
Stroll has collected five penalty points over the past 12 months, including the two-point penalty incurred for causing a collision with Daniel Ricciardo in China.
- Two points: Causing a collision with Daniel Ricciardo at the Chinese GP (expires on April 21, 2025)
- Three points: Overtaking under yellow flag conditions at the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix (expires on November 17, 2024)
#1 Fernando Alonso
Penalty Points: 8
Alonso has accumulated eight F1 penalty points, including a 10-second penalty and two penalty points for a collision with Zhou Guanyu at the Austrian GP.
- Two points: Causing a collision with Zhou Guanyu at the F1 Austrian GP (expires June 30, 2025)
- Three points: Pushing Carlos Sainz off the track at the F1 Chinese GP Sprint (expires April 20, 2025)
- Three points: Potentially dangerous driving against George Russell at the Australian GP (expires on March 24, 2025)
