Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

Red Bull reacts to Verstappen’s criticism – why ‘I told you’ moments are needed

Formula 1
Canadian GP
Red Bull reacts to Verstappen’s criticism – why ‘I told you’ moments are needed

Mini miracles as remarkable podium stories play out at Snetterton

National
Mini miracles as remarkable podium stories play out at Snetterton

Why Russell doesn’t want to see the 2026 F1 rules changed

Formula 1
Canadian GP
Why Russell doesn’t want to see the 2026 F1 rules changed

How Rosenqvist came of age in the closest Indy 500 finish in history

Feature
IndyCar
110th Running of the Indianapolis 500
How Rosenqvist came of age in the closest Indy 500 finish in history

Why "awesome" Canadian GP has convinced Hamilton he's "probably better without" Ferrari simulator

Formula 1
Canadian GP
Why "awesome" Canadian GP has convinced Hamilton he's "probably better without" Ferrari simulator

Canadian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2026

Formula 1
Canadian GP
Canadian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2026

How Ferrari and Audi could decide Verstappen's F1 future

Feature
Formula 1
Canadian GP
How Ferrari and Audi could decide Verstappen's F1 future

Antonelli takes a decisive step in Montreal's all-action thriller

Feature
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Antonelli takes a decisive step in Montreal's all-action thriller

FIA superlicence penalty points: Who's closest to an F1 race ban?

F1 drivers’ penalty points as they tackle the last triple-header of the 2025 season

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Oliver Bearman remains the driver at the highest risk of incurring a Formula 1 race ban.

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

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.

Read Also:

Driver penalty points

Driver Points Next points dropped
United KingdomO. BearmanHaas F1 Team 9 23.05.26 (2 points)
New ZealandL. LawsonRacing Bulls 7 01.12.25 (2 points)
CanadaL. StrollAston Martin Racing 7 01.12.25 (2 points)
JapanY. TsunodaRed Bull Racing 7 14.06.26 (2 points)
NetherlandsM. VerstappenRed Bull Racing 6 30.11.25 (1 point)
AustraliaO. PiastriMcLaren 6 08.12.25 (2 points)
FinlandV. Bottas 5 08.12.25 (5 points)
ItalyA. AntonelliMercedes 5 29.06.26 (2 points)
ThailandA. AlbonWilliams 4 01.12.25 (2 points)
AustraliaJ. Doohan 4 22.03.26 (2 points)
SpainC. SainzWilliams 4 13.04.26 (2 points)
United KingdomL. NorrisMcLaren 3 01.12.25 (3 points)
United KingdomL. HamiltonFerrari 3 31.08.26 (2 points)
FranceP. GaslyAlpine 2 03.08.26 (2 points)
United KingdomG. RussellMercedes 1 01.12.25 (1 point)
ArgentinaF. ColapintoAlpine 1 29.06.26 (1 point)
MonacoC. LeclercFerrari 1 03.08.26 (1 point)
FranceE. OconHaas F1 Team 1 07.09.26 (1 point)
Previous article How Audi developed its hybrid skills before even entering F1
Next article Max Verstappen considering future house built around bigger home sim rig

Top Comments

Latest news