In Formula 1, drivers who accumulate 12 penalty points during a season face a mandatory race ban under the sport’s penalty points system. Introduced over a decade ago, this rule’s consequences gained widespread attention last season when Kevin Magnussen was banned for one race. The 2024 season has similarly seen drivers approach that critical 12-point limit, with Max Verstappen nearly reaching the threshold before some points expired.

As the summer break begins, several drivers remain close to the suspension line, making the F1 penalty points race ban risk a pressing concern for teams and fans alike.

Current Front-Runners in Penalty Points Accumulation

Lance Stroll holds six penalty points, accrued from multiple incidents this season. These include two points for pushing another driver off the track at the Canadian Grand Prix, one point for causing a collision with Charles Leclerc at Monaco, and two points for a collision with Alex Albon in Qatar. The expiry dates for these penalties span from late 2025 to mid-2026, keeping Stroll’s total steady for now.

Liam Lawson has also reached six points, stemming from four incidents: a single point for causing a collision in Miami, two points and another one-point penalty for separate collisions in Bahrain, and two points for an incident with Valtteri Bottas in Qatar. The expiry dates of these points vary, potentially affecting Lawson’s standing throughout the remainder of the season.

Oscar Piastri, who narrowly avoided further sanctions at the Austrian GP after locking up his tires against his teammate, currently carries six penalty points as well. His infractions include two points for erratic braking ahead of Max Verstappen before a restart, plus two points each for collisions with Franco Colapinto at Abu Dhabi and with Liam Lawson at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Ollie Bearman is edging closer to suspension with eight penalty points. The British driver’s total includes a severe four-point penalty for a red flag infringement in the British GP pit lane, two points for similar misconduct in Monaco’s FP2 session, and two points for causing a collision with Franco Colapinto in Brazil, all of which contribute to his precarious position.

Max Verstappen, despite a clean Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, remains under scrutiny with nine penalty points currently on his license. His record includes three points for a collision with George Russell at the 2025 Spanish GP, two points for a collision with Oscar Piastri at Abu Dhabi, and single or double points for various incidents such as driving slowly in Qatar qualifying, a Virtual Safety Car infringement in Brazil’s sprint race, and forcing Lando Norris off track in Mexico.

Context and Consequences of Nearing the Ban

The presence of multiple drivers dangerously close to the suspension threshold heightens tension in the 2024 season. The penalty points system, designed to enforce clean racing, has repeatedly affected race outcomes by sidelining key drivers midseason. For instance, Magnussen’s race ban last season demonstrated that penalties can abruptly alter the competitive landscape.

Max Verstappen‘s narrow avoidance of suspension, thanks to points expiring, shows the precarious nature of the rules and their influence on championship dynamics. Meanwhile, drivers like Ollie Bearman and Lance Stroll must carefully manage their conduct to prevent further penalties that could trigger a ban, placing additional pressure on them during the crucial stages of the season.

As penalty points carry expiration dates ranging up to 18 months, the timing of incidents is critical. Teams must weigh the risks of aggressive racing styles against the potential repercussions of losing valuable driver participation, which can significantly impact constructors’ standings and the overall championship battle.

What Lies Ahead in the Penalty Points Battle

With the F1 calendar resuming after the summer break, attention will focus on whether these drivers can maintain discipline and avoid accruing further penalty points. Failure to do so could lead to race suspensions that not only harm individual drivers’ title hopes but also complicate team strategies as the season reaches its latter stages.

The F1 penalty points race ban risk remains an integral factor shaping race weekends, urging competitors to balance competitiveness with caution. Monitoring drivers like Max Verstappen, Ollie Bearman, Oscar Piastri, Liam Lawson, and Lance Stroll will be essential in understanding how this ongoing challenge affects the sport’s narrative.