Understanding FIA Penalty Points: What They Are, Why They Matter, and Who’s on Thin Ice

It’s the kind of graphic you don’t want to see mid-broadcast - your favourite driver’s name sitting precariously close to the 12-point limit. But those penalty points, while often relegated to a footnote or small screen pop-up, hold real weight across all FIA championships. From F1 to F3, they act as a disciplinary system that keeps drivers in check - and yes, they can get you banned.

But what exactly are these points? How are they dished out? And what happens when a driver edges too close to the danger zone? Let’s break it down.

(Image Credit to: Racing News 365)

What Are FIA Penalty Points?

In essence, the FIA penalty points system is motorsport’s version of a driving licence demerit system. Introduced in 2014, it was designed to track dangerous or repeated infringements over time, rather than punish everything immediately with race bans or disqualifications. The idea is simple: accrue 12 points over a rolling 12-month period and you’re out. One race ban - no arguments, no appeals.

Importantly, these aren’t “championship points” you don’t want. They’re logged separately and serve only as a disciplinary measure.

How Do Drivers Get Penalty Points?

Points are handed out by the race stewards, usually in tandem with other sanctions like time penalties or grid drops. Common reasons include:

• Causing a collision

• Forcing another driver off-track

• Exceeding track limits repeatedly

• Unsafe pit releases

• Ignoring yellow flags or red flag procedures

• Improper driving behind the Safety Car

How many points are given depends on the severity and nature of the incident. For instance, a relatively mild case of exceeding track limits might earn you 1 point. Dive-bombing someone on the final lap and taking them both out of contention? That could land you 2 or even 3.

The 12-Point Rule and Race Bans

This is where it gets serious. If a driver accumulates 12 penalty points within 12 months, they receive an automatic one-race suspension. It doesn’t matter if the offences were minor or if most of them happened in a single race weekend, the ban still stands.

A high-profile example came in 2022 when Red Bull junior Jüri Vips (then in F2) narrowly avoided a race ban after creeping dangerously close to the threshold. His team had to remind him mid-season to tone down the aggression, not an easy ask in a series where your next result could decide your F1 future. A more recent example of a race ban caused by penalty points occurred with Kevin Magnussen and will be discussed shortly. 

If a driver hits the limit and is suspended, the points that pushed them over still remain on their licence until 12 months have elapsed from the date they were awarded. So it’s not a “clean slate” post-ban, however, most points do get removed following the ‘punishment.’

Recent Examples Across F1

The 2024 Formula 1 season has provided a sharp reminder of how real the consequences of penalty points can be. Kevin Magnussen became the first driver since 2012 to receive a race ban for exceeding the 12-point threshold. His aggressive defending and repeated offences - most notably in Miami, where he picked up multiple penalties for leaving the track and gaining an advantage, as well as for unsportsmanlike conduct - tipped his total over the edge. With 12 points accrued within a 12-month window, the Haas driver was forced to sit out the Azerbaijan Grand Prix where Oliver Bearman filled his place.

Magnussen’s case reignited debate about whether experienced drivers should know better - or whether the current penalty points system fails to differentiate between tactical infractions and genuinely dangerous driving.

(Image Credit to: @F1 on X)

At the other end of the grid (but not far off in the penalty points tally), Max Verstappen currently finds himself in unusually hot water. The reigning world champion has amassed 11 penalty points, placing him one incident away from a race ban. While some of those points stem from more procedural missteps - like impeding in qualifying or failing to follow race director instructions - others relate to racecraft that’s been described as “over the limit.” It’s a rare situation for Verstappen, whose dominance has typically been clinical rather than clumsy, but it’s also a stark reminder: no one is above the rules. Verstappen must now drive carefully, at least until June 30th when 2 of the penalty points expire, in order to avoid taking a detrimental break in his champion fight. 

Do Points Expire?

Yes, they do. Each point expires 12 months after it was issued. But it’s not done manually or via appeal, it’s automatic. So if you received two points on 14 June 2024, they’ll disappear from your licence on 14 June 2025. That said, teams do keep meticulous records, often tracking driver licences like an HR manager with a spreadsheet. One error and the consequences could be catastrophic for a championship campaign.

F1 Penalty Point Breakdown- as of the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix

Driver	Current Point count	When the next point expires
Max Verstappen	11	2 on June 30th 2025
Liam Lawson	6	2 on December 1st 2025
Nico Hulkenberg	4	2 on June 29 2025
Oscar Piastri	4	2 on November 3rd 2025
Ollie Bearman	4	2 on November 3rd 2025
Lando Norris	3	All 3 points on December 1st 2025
Fernando Alonso	2	Both on June 29 2025
Franco Colapinto	2	Both on October 27th 2025
Lance Stroll	2	1 on December 1st 2025
Alex Albon	2	Both on December 1st 2025
Carlos Sainz	2	Both on April 13th 2026
George Russell	1	1 on December 1st 2025
Gabriel Bortoleto	0
Kimi Antonelli	0
Lewis Hamilton	0
Yuki Tsunoda	0
Charles Leclerc	0
Isack Hadjar	0
Pierre Gasly	0
Esteban Ocon	0

Final Wrap-up

Penalty points may not have the glamour of fastest laps or race wins, but they’ve become a central part of a driver’s record. They don’t just affect your next race, they shape your season. And for drivers in F2 and F3, where every impression counts in the eyes of F1 scouts, keeping that record clean might just be the difference between a promotion and a missed opportunity.

So the next time you hear about a driver picking up “just a point,” don’t shrug it off. It could be one closer to the end of their weekend - or worse, their season.

Article written by Olivia Myers