Following an exciting triple header in Formula 1, the grid can finally take a breather ahead of the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix.
One driver, in particular, has some regrouping to do after a chaotic Spanish Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen received a 10-second penalty along with three penalty points due to an incident near the race’s end. After his team told him to let George Russell pass, Verstappen slowed down, leading to these penalties from race officials, which puts him in a tricky situation.
Here’s a rundown of the current penalty points across the F1 grid, starting with Verstappen:
What Are FIA Penalty Points?
F1 drivers need an FIA Super License, similar to a driver’s license, which they earn based on performance in lower racing categories.
To maintain safety and order, the FIA can issue penalty points for significant violations, like causing accidents or infractions involving yellow/red flags.
A driver who racks up 12 penalty points within a calendar year faces a one-race ban. Last season, for instance, Kevin Magnussen missed the Azerbaijan Grand Prix due to accumulating enough points at the Italian Grand Prix.
These penalty points last for a year on a driver’s super license before they expire.
Which F1 Drivers Currently Have Penalty Points?
As we head into summer, several drivers hold penalty points on their FIA Super Licenses.
Among them is the reigning champion, facing potential risk of a one-race ban.
Note: The penalties are listed from oldest to most recent.
Max Verstappen
11 penalty points
Max Verstappen is in pursuit of his fifth consecutive Drivers Championship but stands just one penalty point away from a race suspension. His earliest penalty point, from a collision with Lando Norris at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix, expires on June 30, 2025. Essentially, he must navigate both the Canadian and Austrian Grand Prix without any mishaps.
- Two Points: Verstappen’s two early penalty points are due to an incident with Lando Norris in Austria, expiring on June 30, 2025.
- Two Points: He earned two more points at the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix, which will expire on October 27, 2025.
- One Point: A one-point penalty was issued for a clash in Sao Paulo in 2024, expiring on November 1, 2025.
- One Point: At the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix, Verstappen received a penalty for driving too slowly during the cooldown lap. These points will expire on December 1, 2025.
- Two Points: He received a two-point penalty for colliding with Oscar Piastri at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, expiring on December 8, 2025.
- Three Points: Verstappen was penalized three points for causing a clash with George Russell at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, expiring on June 1, 2026.
Liam Lawson
Six penalty points
Liam Lawson started the year as Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull but was replaced after a solid start.
During that time, he also accumulated some penalties.
- Two Points: Lawson received a two-point penalty for a clash with Valtteri Bottas during the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix, expiring on December 1, 2025.
- One Point: He was awarded a one-point penalty for causing a collision in Bahrain in 2025, expiring on April 13, 2026.
- Two Points: Another two points came after a clash with Nico Hulkenberg in Bahrain, expiring on April 13, 2026.
- One Point: He also received a one-point penalty for colliding with Fernando Alonso at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix.
Nico Hulkenberg
Four penalty points
Veteran driver Nico Hulkenberg recently finished fifth at the Spanish Grand Prix and has an earlier penalty point expiring soon.
- Two Points: He was penalized for a clash with Fernando Alonso in Austria, expiring on June 30, 2025.
- Two Points: Hulkenberg got another two-point penalty for colliding with Yuki Tsunoda at the Qatar Grand Prix, expiring on December 1, 2025.
Oscar Piastri
Four penalty points
Oscar Piastri is currently leading the championship race but carries four penalty points.
- Two Points: He received two penalty points for a conflict with Liam Lawson in Sao Paulo in 2024, expiring on November 2, 2025.
- Two Points: Another two points were given for a collision with Franco Colapinto during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, expiring on December 8, 2025.
Oliver Bearman
Four penalty points
Rookie Oliver Bearman started with two penalty points and doubled them after an incident at the Monaco Grand Prix.
- Two Points: Bearman was penalized for colliding with Franco Colapinto in Sao Paulo, expiring on November 2, 2025.
- Two Points: He received another two-point penalty for passing Carlos Sainz Jr. under red flags during Monaco practice.
Lance Stroll
Three penalty points
Lance Stroll began the season with four penalty points; two expired in April. However, after dealing with injuries, he received another point this season following an incident in Monaco’s FP1.
- Two Points: Stroll was penalized two points for a clash with Alexander Albon in Qatar, expiring on December 1, 2025.
- One Point: He got a one-point penalty after a collision with Charles Leclerc in Monaco.
Lando Norris
Three penalty points
Lando Norris still holds three points from an incident during last season’s Qatar Grand Prix.
- Three Points: Race officials penalized Norris for failing to respect a double yellow flag in Qatar, resulting in a three-point penalty that expires on December 1, 2025.
Fernando Alonso
Two penalty points
Fernando Alonso began the year with eight penalty points, but six have since expired. He currently has two left.
- Two Points: Alonso was penalized for causing a collision with Zhou Guanyu at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix, expiring on June 30, 2025.
Alexander Albon
Two penalty points
- Two Points: Albon received a two-point penalty during the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix, expiring on December 1, 2025.
Carlos Sainz Jr.
Two penalty points
Carlos Sainz Jr. started the year with one penalty point that expired in early May. Now, he has picked up two more this season.
- Two Points: Sainz received a two-point penalty during the Bahrain Grand Prix after an incident involving Kimi Antonelli.
Franco Colapinto
Two penalty points
Franco Colapinto stepped in for Logan Sargeant midway through 2024 and has since garnered penalty points. He’s back driving for Alpine.
- Two Points: Colapinto received two points for causing a clash with Liam Lawson in Mexico, which expires on October 27, 2025.
George Russell
One penalty point
George Russell from Mercedes retains one penalty point from last season.
- One Point: He was penalized for not maintaining proper distance behind the safety car during the Qatar Grand Prix, expiring on December 1, 2025.
Esteban Ocon
Three penalty points
Like Hulkenberg, Esteban Ocon has also switched teams for 2025, moving from Alpine to Haas.
He brings with him three penalty points.
- One Point: Ocon was given a one-point penalty for an unsafe release during the Miami Grand Prix sprint race, expiring on May 4, 2025.
- Two Points: He received two penalty points for a clash with Pierre Gasly during the Monaco Grand Prix, expiring on May 26, 2025.
Which F1 Drivers Have a Clean Slate?
As summer approaches, several F1 drivers hold a clean slate.
- Ugo Antonelli
- Gabriel Boltreto
- Esteban Ocon
- Pierre Gasly
- Lewis Hamilton
- Charles Leclerc
- Snow and Horn
Are Inactive Drivers Keeping an Eye on Penalty Points Ahead of 2025?
There are also five drivers who might not make it onto the grid in 2025 but still hold points that haven’t expired on their FIA Super Licenses.
Valtteri Bottas
Five penalty points
Valtteri Bottas will return to Mercedes as a reserve driver next season. However, he currently has five points on his FIA Super License and is mentioned as a potential candidate for incoming Cadillac F1 teams.
- Three Points: Bottas received a three-point penalty for a collision with Kevin Magnussen during an eventful Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, expiring on December 8, 2025.
- Two Points: He was awarded two additional points for causing a conflict with Sergio Perez in Abu Dhabi, also expiring on December 8, 2025.
Jack Doohan
Four penalty points
Jack Doohan was replaced by Colapinto at Alpine after the Monaco Grand Prix and currently has four penalty points.
- Two Points: Doohan received a two-point penalty for a clash with fellow rookie Gabriel Boltreto during the F1 sprint race in China, expiring on March 22, 2026.
- Two Points: Another two points were awarded for an incident involving Isaac Hajar during the Chinese Grand Prix, expiring on March 23, 2026.
Daniel Ricciardo
One penalty point
Fan-favorite Daniel Ricciardo initially had three penalty points this season.
- One Point: He received a penalty for an incident involving Hulkenberg at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix, with points expiring on September 1, 2025.
