The 2025 Belgian Grand Prix has intensified concerns about the F1 penalty points system, with Max Verstappen currently holding 9 points and several others edging closer to the critical 12-point limit that results in race bans. This system exists to uphold safety and fair competition by penalizing drivers for infractions such as collisions, dangerous driving, and pitlane speed violations.

As the Belgian GP brought tension to the forefront, a handful of drivers on the grid are alarmingly close to suspension, sparking discussions about driving standards and consistency in applying penalties.

Yuki Tsunoda’s Growing Tally of Penalty Points

Yuki Tsunoda stands at 5 penalty points following his involvement in a collision with Ollie Bearman during the British Grand Prix. His points derive from multiple incidents across this season, including:

• One point for colliding with Ollie Bearman at the British GP (expires on July 6, 2026)
• Two points for a collision with Franco Colapinto at the Austrian GP (expires on June 29, 2026)
• Two points for overtaking under red flag conditions at the Canadian GP (expires on June 14, 2026)

Lance Stroll’s Steady Accumulation Nearing Suspension Territory

Holding 6 penalty points, Lance Stroll’s license shows multiple offenses mostly related to collisions and impeding rivals. His current points include incidents such as:

• Two points for pushing another driver off track at the Canadian GP (expires June 15, 2026)
• One point each for causing a collision and impeding Charles Leclerc during Monaco GP qualifying (both expire May 25, 2026)
• Two points for a collision with Alex Albon at the Qatar GP (expires December 1, 2025)

Liam Lawson Matches Stroll’s Point Total with Multiple Collisions

Following a solid sixth place finish at the Belgian GP, Liam Lawson’s disciplinary record shows a similar concern with 6 penalty points. His infringements comprise numerous collisions, primarily during key races:

• One point for causing a collision at the Miami GP (expires May 3, 2026)
• Two points plus an additional point for separate collision incidents at the Bahrain GP (both expire April 14, 2026)

Ollie Bearman’s Persistent Infractions Bring Him Closer to Penalty Limits

British driver Ollie Bearman is now dangerously close to a race ban with 8 penalty points on his record, largely due to errors at high-profile events:

• Four points for a red flag infringement in the pitlane during the British GP (expires July 6, 2026)
• Two points for a red flag violation in FP2 at Monaco GP (expires May 23, 2026)
• Two points for causing a collision with Franco Colapinto at the 2024 Brazilian GP (expires November 2, 2025)

Max Verstappen Holds the Highest Number of Penalty Points on the Grid

Max Verstappen remains the most prolific offender with 9 penalty points, stemming from several significant incidents over the past season:

• Three points for causing a collision with George Russell during the 2025 Spanish GP (expires June 1, 2026)
• Two points for a collision with Oscar Piastri at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (expires December 8, 2025)
• One point for driving unnecessarily slowly in the 2024 Qatar GP qualifying (expires December 1, 2025)
• One point for a Virtual Safety Car infringement during the 2024 Brazilian GP sprint (expires November 1, 2025)
• Two points for forcing Lando Norris off track at the 2024 Mexican GP (expires October 27, 2025)

Implications of the Penalty Point System on Upcoming Races

With multiple drivers hovering near the 12-point threshold, the risk of race bans will continue to add pressure during the upcoming events of the 2025 F1 season. This system seeks to improve safety and sportsmanship, but its growing impact on driver participation highlights the delicate balance between aggressive racing and adherence to regulations.

As drivers like Verstappen, Bearman, and others navigate this tense situation, teams and fans alike will watch closely to see how these disciplinary measures influence race outcomes and season standings.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Is number 13 banned in F1?

A. Yes, the number 13 is permitted. Pastor Maldonado chose #13 when Formula 1 introduced the permanent number system in 2014. Despite being seen as unlucky in some cultures, drivers can decide to use it.

Q. Which F1 driver has ADHD?

A. Lewis Hamilton’s experiences with ADHD and dyslexia influenced his life both in and out of racing. His journey changes how we perceive success in Formula 1 and highlights the importance of acknowledging learning differences.

Q. Is 69 allowed in F1?

A. Guidelines for F1 Driver Numbers Selecting a number: Drivers can pick a permanent number ranging from 2 to 99, except for 17, to use during their F1 careers.