F1 penalty points after the US GP: 5 biggest delinquents

The F1 penalty points system was first introduced in 2014, keeping in mind the dip in driving standards. This meant that drivers would face penalty points for every transgression on track. The transgression could be anything from driving dangerously to causing a collision, etc.

The number of points per transgression varies depending on the severity of the act and these points stay with the driver for 12 months.

If a driver reaches 12 F1 penalty points within a year, he faces a race ban. Kevin Magnussen became the first driver to be banned under this system this season when he was forced to sit out of the race in Baku. With that being said, who are the top 5 delinquents on the current grid after the F1 US GP? Let's take a look.

F1 Penalty Points: Who is close to a ban?

#5. Sergio Perez

Penalty Points: 3

Perez has three F1 penalty points, tied with Logan Sargeant and Alonso, for five different violations.

• Two points: Causing a collision with Lando Norris at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (expires November 26, 2024)
• One point: Unsafe release in pit lane at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (expires March 9, 2025)

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#4. Max Verstappen

Penalty Points: 4

Verstappen has four penalty points, with the latest coming at the Austrian GP due to his collision with Lando Norris.

• Two points: Causing a collision with Norris at the 2024 F1 Austrian GP (expires on June 30, 2025)
• Two points: Forcing Charles Leclerc off track during the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix (expires on November 19, 2024)

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#3. Nico Hulkenberg

Penalty Points: 4

Hulkenberg has four F1 penalty points so far.

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

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#2. Lance Stroll

Penalty Points: 5

Stroll has collected five penalty points over the past 12 months, including the two-point penalty incurred for causing a collision with Daniel Ricciardo in China.

• Two points: Causing a collision with Daniel Ricciardo at the Chinese GP (expires on April 21, 2025)
• Three points: Overtaking under yellow flag conditions at the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix (expires on November 17, 2024)

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#1. Fernando Alonso

Penalty Points: 8

Alonso has accumulated eight F1 penalty points, including a 10-second penalty and two penalty points for a collision with Zhou Guanyu at the Austrian GP.

• Two points: Causing a collision with Zhou Guanyu at the F1 Austrian GP (expires June 30, 2025)
• Three points: Pushing Carlos Sainz off the track at the F1 Chinese GP Sprint (expires April 20, 2025)
• Three points: Potentially dangerous driving against George Russell at the Australian GP (expires on March 24, 2025)