The F1 penalty points system has been in place since 2014. It was first introduced out of a need to have a proper metric in place for the FIA and stewards for a long-term approach in how driving standards were judged.
As a part of this system, drivers are handed penalty points by the stewards if they commit on-track transgressions. The points stay on the driving license for a year before they expire.
If a driver does end up accruing 12 F1 penalty points, he faces a race ban. Max Verstappen was eerily close to one a few races back when he was at 11 points. Pierre Gasly was very close to it as well in 2023.
Kevin Magnussen, unfortunately, reached the threshold last season and became the first driver to get a race ban.
With that being said, as we wait for the surprise 4-week break to end, who are the biggest delinquents on the grid? Let’s take a look.
F1 Penalty Points: Who is close to a ban?
#1. Ollie Bearman
Penalty Points: 10
Ollie Bearman is now alarmingly close to a race ban with 10 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 6, 2026)
- Two points: Red Flag infringement in Monaco GP FP2 (expires on May 23, 2026)
- Two points: Causing a collision with Carlos Sainz at the 2025 Italian GP (expires on September 7, 2026).
#2. Lance Stroll
Penalty Points: 6
Lance Stroll is currently at six 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 20, 2026)
- Two points: Pushing another driver off track at the Canadian GP (expires on June 15, 2026)
- One point: Causing a collision with Charles Leclerc at the Monaco GP (expires on May 25, 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)
