What Are Penalty Points In F1 And How Did Max Verstappen Get So Many

Penalty points in F1 have become a hot topic ever since Verstappen’s controversial clash with George Russell in the Spanish Grand Prix that handed him a penalty, and apparently enough penalty points to get him banned for one race if he gets one more point. Here’s what the penalty points are, who decides them and why they’re a hot topic. 

What Are Penalty Points And Why Are They Given?

Penalty points in F1 are more like a punishment introduced to monitor and control driver behaviour across a season, much like points on a regular driver’s license. These points are added due to several reasons, including:

• Causing collisions
• Driving too slowly on a pit lane
• Overtaking under a red flag
• Failing to show under yellow flags
• Unsafe releases in the pit lane
• Ignoring track-limits
• Blocking other drivers

The number of points depends on the severity of the situation. Minor incidents may result in one or two points, while more serious breaches can attract up to three points. 

Who Decides Penalty Points in F1?

The decision to award penalty points in F1 rests with the race stewards, which is a panel of officials appointed by the FIA. They review these incidents during a Grand Prix weekend and decide both the type of penalty (such as the time penalties or grid drops) and the number of penalty points to be added to a driver’s record.

What Happens When Penalty Points in F1 Accumulate?

Penalty points in F1 remain on a driver’s Super License for 12 months from the date they are issued. If a driver accumulates 12 points within any rolling 12-month period, they are automatically banned from the next race. After serving the ban, as points are wiped off their record.

How Did Max Verstappen Get So Many Penalty Points?

Penalty points in F1 picked up headlines since Verstappen got a 10-second penalty at the Spanish Grand Prix due to a clash with George Russell. After which, he was handed down three penalty points for the incident, which in turn resulted in a total of 11 points.

Over the past 12 months, Verstappen has received points for collisions with Lando Norris at the Austrian Grand Prix, forcing Norris off the track at the Mexico Grand Prix, driving too slowly on a cool-down lap at the Qatar Grand Prix, and causing a collision with Oscar Piastri at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 

What Happens If Max Verstappen Gets One More Penalty Points In F1?

If Verstappen receives even a single additional penalty point before some of his oldest points expire at the end of June, he will be banned for one race. This would be a significant blow for both him and the team.

Full List Of Drivers With Penalty Points In F1

Driver	Penalty Points
Max Verstappen	11
Liam Lawson	5
Nico Hulkenberg	4
Oscar Piastri	4
Jack Doohan	4
Oliver Bearman	4
Lando Norris	3
Alexander Albon	2
Carlos Sainz Jr.	2
Fernando Alonso	2
Geroge Rusell	1

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