Formula 1 News: Drivers’ Penalty Points Before the 2025 Las Vegas GP

The following table lists all 20 F1 drivers sorted by total penalty points in descending order (from most to least). For drivers with tied points, they are ordered alphabetically by last name. Data includes full name, team, total points, and detailed breakdown of incidents with expiry dates.

Below the table is an explanation of the penalty points system used in F1.

The Formula 1 penalty points system is a disciplinary measure managed by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) to promote fair and safe driving. Introduced at the start of the 2014 season, it assigns points to a driver’s Super License for on-track and procedural infringements. The system helps deter reckless behavior without immediate race bans, allowing drivers to accumulate demerits over time. For 2025, the FIA has updated its Driving Standards and Penalty Guidelines (version 4.1) to enhance consistency, transparency, and steward decision-making, incorporating driver feedback from events like the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix.

How Points Are Awarded

– Issuance: Stewards award points based on the severity of the offence, as outlined in the FIA’s Penalty Guidelines, which cover around 100 potential infringements. Points are typically 1–5 per incident and are added to the driver’s Super License. They are not issued for minor penalties like reprimands or fines.
– Factors Considered: Stewards evaluate context, including intent, visibility, car handling, tire grip, and whether the action had sporting consequences (e.g., gaining a position). Mitigating factors (e.g., loss of control) may reduce points, while aggravating ones (e.g., recklessness) can increase them, though escalations are rare.
– Validity and Expiry: Points remain active for 12 months from the date of the incident (or session end, if applicable). They automatically expire after this period, potentially clearing a driver’s tally.

Consequences of Accumulating Points

– Threshold: If a driver reaches 12 or more points within any rolling 12-month period, their Super License is suspended, resulting in a ban from the next eligible event (typically one Grand Prix weekend).
– Post-Ban Reset: After serving the ban, 12 points are deducted from the driver’s total.
– Examples in Practice: Danish driver Kevin Magnussen was the first to trigger a ban in 2024, missing the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after reaching 12 points for repeated impeding incidents.

Common Infractions and Point Allocations

The 2025 guidelines provide a table of standard penalties, applied primarily during races unless specified. Here’s a selection of frequent examples:

Broader Driving Standards Context

The system ties into F1’s Driving Standards Guidelines, which emphasize safe overtaking (e.g., inside line requires front axle alongside the mirror at apex; outside requires it ahead), rejoining the track without gaining advantage, and track limits (white lines are in-bounds; three strikes in a race lead to warnings, then 5-second penalties). These are non-binding but guide stewards for consistent rulings across sessions and circuits.