F1 penalty points: 5 biggest delinquents after the 2025 Saudi Arabian GP

The F1 penalty points system was first introduced in 2014, and it coincided with the beginning of the turbo hybrid regulations. The system was introduced to help keep the driving standards in the sport above a threshold.

In the early 2010s, first-lap collisions and wheel-to-wheel incidents had jumped alarmingly. What that meant was a need to have a more standard system where drivers would get penalty points for their on-track transgressions. This was precisely what happened as the FIA introduced the penalty points system.

As part of this system, a driver gets penalty points added next to their name for every on-track transgression. This transgression could vary from causing a collision, speeding in the pitlane, dangerous driving, etc.

These points stay with the driver for a period of 12 months, and after that they expire. If a driver ends up accruing more than 12 points in a year, he gets banned for a race. With that being said, as we move on from the Saudi Arabian GP, which drivers are closest to a ban? Let's take a look.

F1 Penalty Points: Who is close to a ban?

#5 Lance Stroll

Penalty Points: 4

Stroll has accumulated four F1 penalty points over the past 12 months.

• Two points: Causing a collision with Alex Albon at the Qatar GP (expires on December 1, 2025)
• Two points: Causing a collision with Daniel Ricciardo at the Chinese GP (expires on April 21, 2025)

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#4 Jack Doohan

Penalty Points: 4

Jack Doohan was on the naughty step a number of times during the Chinese GP. The driver accrued 4 F1 penalty points during the race weekend.

• Two points: Causing a collision with Gabriel Bortoleto at the Chinese GP Sprint (expires on March 22, 2026)
• Two points: Pushing a driver off the track at the Chinese GP (expires on March 23, 2026)

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#3 Nico Hulkenberg

Penalty Points: 4

Hulkenberg has four F1 penalty points.

• Two points: Causing a collision with Yuki Tsunoda at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix (expires on September 1, 2025)
• Two points: Causing a collision with Fernando Alonso during the 2024 Austrian GP Sprint (expires on June 29, 2025)

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#2 Liam Lawson

Penalty Points: 5

Lawson now has 5 penalty points after an action-packed F1 Bahrain GP.

• Two points: Causing a collision with Valtteri Bottas at the Qatar GP (expires on December 1, 2025)
• Two points: Causing a collision in the Bahrain GP (expires on April 14, 2026)
• One point: Causing a collision in the Bahrain GP (expires on April 14, 2026)

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#1 Max Verstappen

Penalty Points: 8

Max Verstappen has eight F1 penalty points now, with the reigning world champion accruing two more for his collision with Oscar Piastri at last season's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

• One point: Driving unnecessarily slowly in the 2024 F1 Qatar GP Qualifying (expires on December 1, 2025)
• One point: VSC infringement in the 2024 F1 Brazilian GP Sprint (expires on November 1, 2025)
• Two points: Forcing Lando Norris off track during the 2024 F1 Mexican GP (expires on October 27, 2025)
• Two points: Causing a collision with Norris at the 2024 F1 Austrian GP (expires on June 30, 2025)
• Two points: Causing a collision with Oscar Piastri at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (expires on December 8, 2025)