F1 penalty points system explained – with Max Verstappen close to race ban
Formula 1 's penalty points system has been placed under the spotlight after Max Verstappen 's punishment for his collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix.
The Dutchman was handed a 10-second time penalty for ramming Russell late in the race, before the FIA gave the Red Bull driver three penalty points on his FIA superlicence.
Verstappen has now accrued 11 points, with 12 to a driver's name over 12 months triggering a race ban.
Kevin Magnussen, driving for Haas last year, missed the 2024 Azerbaijan GP as a result of the 12-point rule.
But why is the penalty-points system in place – and how many do other drivers have?
The FIA implemented the penalty points system to monitor the behaviour of drivers over the course of a season. They can be given for anything from crashes and racing incidents to safety car and yellow flag-related infringements.
The stewards decide on the number of points. The more points handed to a driver for a certain scenario, the more severe the incident.
Verstappen's three-point penalty in Barcelona is the most severe punishment he's received over the past year, which includes other incidents involving Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
As well as Verstappen, only Norris – for failing to slow under yellow flags in Qatar last year – has been given a three-point penalty out of the current grid over the last 12 months.
Verstappen must avoid a penalty point at the next race in Canada (15 June) to avoid a race ban for the Austrian GP (29 June).
How has Verstappen accrued 11 points?
3 points, 2025 Spanish GP – Causing a collision with George Russell (expires 1 June 2026)
2 points, 2024 Abu Dhabi GP – Causing a collision with Oscar Piastri (expires 8 December 2025)
1 point, 2024 Qatar GP – Driving unnecessarily slowly on a cooldown lap in qualifying (expires 1 December 2025)
1 point, 2024 Brazil GP sprint – Being under the minimum VSC delta time (expires 1 November 2025)
2 points, 2024 Mexico GP – Forcing Lando Norris off-track (expires 27 October 2025)
2 points, 2024 Austrian GP – Causing a collision with Lando Norris (expires 30 June 2025)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
39 minutes ago
- The Sun
Real Madrid tipped to sign Liverpool cult hero just days after sealing Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer
LIVERPOOL cult hero Firmino has been linked with a sensational move to Real Madrid, reports claim. Real are looking for an experienced goalscorer to support Kylian Mbappe up top, after finishing second behind LaLiga champions Barcelona this season. 4 4 It comes just days after Madrid swooped Liverpool boyhood star Trent Alexander-Arnold, who ended his 20-year career at Anfield for sunny Spain. And according to Spanish outlet AS Sport, Madrid are in the hunt for a new Joselu-like figure to come to the Bernabeu. The former Stoke and Newcastle forward may have flopped in the Premier League, but he's fondly remembered in the Spanish capital. Joselu scored crucial goals en route to Real's 2024 Champions League victory, most notably his two late notches in the semi-final win over Bayern Munich. Joselu, who came through the ranks at Real as a youngster, scored 18 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions as he played a vital support role after rejoining for a year aged 33. And having been without such a prolific role player this year after Joselu joined Saudi side Al-Gharafa SC, Firmino has reportedly dropped onto Madrid's radar. The Brazilian, 33, who once featured in one of most lethal Premier League front-threes with Mo Salah and Sado Maino, now plays in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli. Firmino was linked with a shock move to Madrid before the end of Liverpool contract in 2023. 4 After initially struggling to find his feet, Firmino has managed 21 goals in 65 appearances, and he captained Al-Ahli to the AFC Champions League Elite title this season. Firmino is also seen as someone who could play a vital bench role for new manager Xabi Alonso, who also starred for both Liverpool and Madrid. Trent Alexander-Arnold breaks down in tears and kisses badge as he gets emotional send-off from Liverpool fans A move would allow youngster Gonzalo Garcia, 21, another year to develop after scoring 25 goals for Madrid's academy this season. If does complete the switch, then Firmino would be reunited with former Liverpool team-mate Alexander-Arnold. The pair who won it all at Liverpool during Jurgen Klopp 's golden years, including the club's first-ever Premier League trophy and the 2019 Champions League title. While Firmino was given a hero's send-off when he was released in 2023, the England right-back faced heavy criticism from Liverpool fans, who were initially fuming about his free agent status. But Madrid have since paid £10million to release Alexander-Arnold a month early from this contract that was due to end on June 30. The Spanish giants were hell-bent on having the 26-year-old for the Club World Cup, starting on June 14 in the US. Firmino would also have fellow Brazilians Vinicius Jr and Eder Militao as team-mates. 4
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
NI & Republic of Ireland discover play-off opponents
Northern Ireland will face Iceland in the Women's Nations League promotion/relegation play-offs while the Republic of Ireland were drawn against Belgium. The Republic of Ireland are in the play-offs after being edged out for top spot in Group B2 and Northern Ireland are hoping to reach the top tier for the first time after finishing second to Poland in Group Ireland will host Iceland - who finished third in Group A2 - in the first leg, with the Republic of Ireland at home to Belgium in their opener. "We know that Belgium are a very good team with a strong history in women's football so this will be a difficult challenge for us but one that we are excited to take on," said Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward. "Having won five of our six group games in the Nations League and ending with a very good performance against Slovenia, we are building day by day, game by game."Finland will face Denmark and the Czech Republic will play Austria in the other two ties. The fixtures will take place in October, with further details yet to be confirmed. The winners of the two-legged play-offs will play in League A of the 2027 Women's World Cup qualifiers, with the losers competing in League B. In the finals - involving this year's four League A group winners - Germany were drawn against France while world champions Spain will play Sweden in the two-legged semi-finals on 24 and 28 third-place play-off and final - both comprising of two legs - will take place on 28 November and 2 December.
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Red Bull identify Max Verstappen's replacement if F1 champion gets race ban
Red Bull have dropped a major hint as to who will step in if Max Verstappen is handed a one-race ban from Formula 1. The four-time world champion is on the verge of suspension after deliberately crashing into George Russell during the final laps of last Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix. Following the shocking incident, which Verstappen has apologised for, the Dutchman had three penalty points added to his superlicence, bringing his tally to 11. Should he receive one more at the next two grand prix in Canada and Austria he will be handed a one-race ban, which could spell the end of his championship chances. As such, Red Bull need to prepare for the possibility of losing their star driver over the next month but Christian Horner is not short of options. It is almost certain that Verstappen will be replaced by one of the drivers from Red Bull's sister team Racing Bulls, namely Liam Lawson or Isack Hadjar. Lawson started the season as Verstappen's teammate but was controversially axed after just two races and replaced by Yuki Tsunoda, with the Kiwi struggling for performance ever since. Rookie Hadjar meanwhile has been one of the standout drivers of 2025 and after nine races is ninth in the standings, with more points than Lawson and Tsunoda combined. Whoever it may be, a brief promotion to Red Bull would of course leave a seat free at Racing Bulls, with reserve driver Ayumu Iwasa seemingly first choice to fill it, having driven Verstappen's RB21 during practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix in April. However, a report from The Race says that Red Bull have sent a request to the FIA for a superlicence exemption for 17-year-old academy star Arvid Lindblad, suggesting he is actually next in line. Under the current rules, drivers must be 18 in order to acquire the superlicence needed to race in F1, with Lindblad not eligible until August. But exceptions can be made for underage drivers if they are 'judged to have recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition'. A decision on the request is expected next week and if granted, it would allow Lindblad to make his F1 debut over the summer. Born in Surrey to a Swedish father and a mother of Indian heritage, Arvid Lindblad began competitive karting aged seven and has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past decade. In 2024, he embarked on his maiden Formula 3 campaign with Prema Racing, the same team that helped Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc reach F1. He impressively won four races en course to fourth in the championship and over the winter break he cruised to the title in the Formula Regional Oceania Championship. This year, the teenager has made the step up to Formula 2 and has taken to it like a duck to water, with two wins in 11 races leaving him third in the standings. More Trending Lindblad already has his sights on F1, telling the BBC last year: 'I'd say I have two or three years now to make it and that's my window. If I don't make it now I won't get another opportunity in Formula 1. 'All I'm thinking about at the moment is Formula 1 and wanting to be a world champion. F1 is the pinnacle of motorsport and I haven't seen anything else that I've been attracted to.' In Formula 1, drivers receive a one-race ban if they acquire 12 penalty points within the space of 12 months. Thankfully for Verstappen, two of his 11 points will expire on June 30 but he'll have to carefully navigate Canada and Austria before then. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Spanish Grand Prix: McLaren on top but Lando Norris is still wary of Max Verstappen in F1 title race MORE: What Max Verstappen told Lewis Hamilton after Monaco qualifying clash MORE: Monaco Grand Prix: Plenty of horsepower in the car park as F1 stars enjoy working from home
