FIA superlicence penalty points: Who’s closest to an F1 race ban?
Oliver Bearman remains the driver at the highest risk of incurring a Formula 1 race ban in 2025.
F1 drivers collect penalty points as they commit offences on track, with 12 points landing them a suspension for the following grand prix.
Kevin Magnussen is the only driver who ever fell foul of the penalty points system, having had to sit out the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Bearman’s favour, but the British rookie now leads the classification as the closest driver to the unwanted punishment.
Bearman collected 10 points between 3 November 2024 and 7 September 2025 for causing two collisions, overtaking under yellow flag, and failing to comply with a red flag.
This put him at direct risk for the Baku, Singapore, Austin and Mexico races, which he emerged from down to eight points, without the two incurred at Interlagos last year – but his tally rose back up to nine straight away as he squeezed Liam Lawson on the grass on that same track.
Bearman will therefore have to be cautious in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi – and early next year too, as he will next lose points on 23 May 2026, during the seventh round of the season.
Lawson, Lance Stroll and Yuki Tsunoda are next on seven points, but the former two will lose two points each on 1 December, while the current Red Bull driver’s tally won’t decrease until 14 June 2026 – the day of the ninth grand prix of the season.
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Having come perilously close to a race ban earlier this year with 11 points, Max Verstappen is down to six and, if he refrains from any offences in Las Vegas and Qatar, will lose another point on 30 November.
Four drivers have a clean licence, free of any penalty points – two veterans and two rookies, namely Sauber duo Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, Isack Hadjar, and Fernando Alonso.
Driver penalty points
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