The Formula 1 penalty points system aims to ensure safe driving standards by imposing bans when a driver accumulates 12 points. After the Hungarian Grand Prix, several drivers remain perilously close to this limit, with Max Verstappen holding 9 points, just shy of a potential suspension. This article examines the top five drivers most at risk due to penalty points, highlighting the escalating tension as the season progresses.

Current Standings of Most Penalized Drivers

Lance Stroll and Liam Lawson each have 6 penalty points. Stroll’s points include two for pushing another driver off track at the Canadian GP, one for causing a collision with Charles Leclerc at Monaco, and two more after a collision with Alex Albon in Qatar. Lawson’s six points stem from multiple collisions: one in Miami, three in Bahrain (including two separate incidents), and two for a collision with Valtteri Bottas in Qatar.

Oscar Piastri also holds six points, notably from incidents including erratic braking before a restart that affected Max Verstappen, and collisions with Franco Colapinto in Abu Dhabi and Liam Lawson in Brazil. These infractions have marked him as a consistent figure on the steward’s radar.

Ollie Bearman is edging into more dangerous territory with eight points. His penalties include a significant four-point red flag infringement in the pit lane at the British GP, two points for another red flag violation in Monaco’s FP2 session, and two points due to causing a collision with Franco Colapinto in Brazil. His risky mistakes put him close to mandatory suspension.

Max Verstappen, despite a clean outing at Spa, remains on nine points. His accrued penalties include three for causing a collision with George Russell in the 2025 Spanish GP, two for a collision with Oscar Piastri at Abu Dhabi, and various other infractions such as driving unnecessarily slowly during Qatar qualifying, a VSC infringement in Brazil’s sprint, and forcing Lando Norris off track during the Mexican GP.

Detailed Breakdown of Penalty Points by Driver

Lance Stroll (6 points):

• Two points: Pushing another driver off track at Canadian GP (expires June 15, 2026)
• One point: Collision with Charles Leclerc at Monaco GP (expires May 25, 2026)
• Two points: Collision with Alex Albon at Qatar GP (expires December 1, 2025)

Liam Lawson (6 points):

• One point: Collision at Miami GP (expires May 3, 2026)
• Two points: Collision at Bahrain GP (expires April 14, 2026)
• One point: Additional collision at Bahrain GP (expires April 14, 2026)
• Two points: Collision with Valtteri Bottas at Qatar GP (expires December 1, 2025)

Oscar Piastri (6 points):

• Two points: Erratic braking in front of Max Verstappen before restart (expires July 6, 2026)
• Two points: Collision with Franco Colapinto at Abu Dhabi GP (expires December 8, 2025)
• Two points: Collision with Liam Lawson at Brazilian GP (expires November 2, 2025)

Ollie Bearman (8 points):

• Four points: Red flag infringement in pit lane during British GP (expires July 6, 2026)
• Two points: Red flag infringement during Monaco GP FP2 (expires May 23, 2026)
• Two points: Collision with Franco Colapinto at Brazilian GP (expires November 2, 2025)

Max Verstappen (9 points):

• Three points: Collision with George Russell at 2025 Spanish GP (expires June 1, 2026)
• Two points: Collision with Oscar Piastri at Abu Dhabi GP (expires December 8, 2025)
• One point: Driving unnecessarily slowly during Qatar GP Qualifying (expires December 1, 2025)
• One point: VSC infringement in Brazilian GP Sprint (expires November 1, 2025)
• Two points: Forcing Lando Norris off track during Mexican GP (expires October 27, 2025)

Implications of Penalty Points on F1 Drivers’ Seasons

The proximity of these drivers to the 12-point ban threshold underscores a tense reality: continued infractions will result in race suspensions, affecting championship prospects and team strategies. Max Verstappen’s near-ban status after accumulating nine points indicates how even top drivers cannot afford further mistakes without risking suspension. Similarly, the presence of young drivers like Oscar Piastri and Ollie Bearman on this list signifies how the pressure to perform cleanly is critical across experience levels.

As the season advances, teams and drivers must carefully manage on-track behavior to avoid penalties that could compromise race participation. This dynamic adds another layer of pressure, influencing decision-making for aggressive moves and defensive driving alike. The Hungarian GP results have only deepened the focus on those balancing on the edge of penalties, suggesting that upcoming races could see dramatic shifts if bans come into effect.