8 January 2025

Formula 1's penalty points system has been pivotal in helping to keep driving standards in check. The entire system was first put in place in 2014 due to the absence of a concrete methodology for addressing and managing driving standards.

With drivers like Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado used to getting into skirmishes, a system had to be put in place to keep drivers in check.

As part of the system, points are awarded based on the seriousness of violations. If a driver reaches 12 points, he will be banned from the race. Since the inception of this system Kevin Magnussen He is the only driver to face the ban. It was imposed because the Danish driver received 12 Formula 1 penalty points over a 12-month period.

As the sport prepares for the 2025 Formula 1 season, who are the top five finishers behind? Let's take a look.

F1 penalty points: Who is close to a ban?

#5 Esteban Ocon

Penalty points: 3

Ocon has earned three F1 penalty points in the past 12 months.

  • 2 points: Causing a collision with Pierre Gasly in Monaco GP (ends 27 May 2025)
  • 1 point: Unsafe release during Miami GP (expires May 4, 2025)

#4 Nico Hulkenberg

Penalty points: 4

Hulkenberg has four penalty points in F1.

  • 2 points: Causing a collision with Yuki Tsunoda at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix (ends September 1, 2025)
  • 2 points: Causing a collision with Fernando Alonso during the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix (ends 29 June 2025)

#3 Valtteri Bottas

Penalty points: 5

Bottas received a huge five penalty points in Formula 1 in Abu Dhabi.

  • 2 points: Causing a collision with Sergio Perez at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (ends 12 December 2025)
  • Three points: Causing a collision with Kevin Magnussen at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (ends December 12, 2025)

#2 Fernando Alonso

Penalty points: 8

Alonso collected eight penalty points in Formula One, including two for a dive bomb Chu Guanyu At the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix, which also resulted in a 10-second penalty.

  • 2 points: Causing a collision with Zhou Guanyu at the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix (ends June 30, 2025)
  • Three points: Carlos Sainz pushed off track in F1 Chinese GP Sprint (ends April 20, 2025)
  • Three points: 'Potentially dangerous driving' against George Russell at Australian Grand Prix (ends 24 March 2025)

#1 Max Verstappen

Penalty points: 8

Verstappen He now has eight penalty points, with the driver receiving an additional two for colliding with him Oscar Piastri.

  • 1 point: Driving too slowly on the cool-down lap in the 2024 F1 Qatar GP race (ends 1 December 2025)
  • 1 point: VSC violation at the 2024 F1 Brazilian GP Sprint Race (ends 2 November 2025)
  • 2 points: Lando Norris forced off track during 2024 F1 Mexican Grand Prix (ends 28 October 2025)
  • 2 points: Causing a collision with Norris at the 2024 F1 Austrian Grand Prix (ends 30 June 2025)
  • 2 points: Causing a collision with Oscar Piastri at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (ends 12 December 2025)