F1 Penalty Points: One Driver Perilously Close to Race Ban as FIA Updates Guide

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F1 2026 Penalty Points Overview

Penalty points on a driver’s FIA Super Licence are designed to curb unsafe driving. Reaching 12 points in a 12-month period results in an automatic one-race ban. Points expire 12 months after the offence.

2026 Updates

  • New Driving Standards Guidelines mean points are now only issued for:

    • Dangerous, reckless, or apparently deliberate actions that cause a collision.

    • Other unsportsmanlike behaviour.

  • Stewards refer to the guidelines, but they are not strict FIA regulations.

Drivers Closest to a Race Ban

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Driver Points Next Expiry Notes
Oliver Bearman 10 23 May 2026 Most at-risk; next points drop in May.
Liam Lawson 6 13 Apr 2026 Several collisions in 2025.
Lance Stroll 6 23 May 2026 Multiple incidents in 2025.
Kimi Antonelli 5 29 Jun 2026 Collisions with Verstappen & Leclerc.
Oscar Piastri 4 6 Jul 2026 Caused collisions & erratic braking.
Carlos Sainz 4 13 Apr 2026 Collisions with Antonelli.
Alex Albon 3 21 Sep 2026 Collisions with Colapinto & Hamilton.
Lewis Hamilton 3 31 Aug 2026 Yellow flag & collision points.
Max Verstappen 3 1 Jun 2026 Collision with Russell in 2025.

Drivers with 0 Points

  • Fernando Alonso, George Russell, Lando Norris, Valtteri Bottas, Isack Hadjar, Nico Hulkenberg, Arvid Lindblad, Sergio Perez.

  • These drivers are safe from race bans for now.

Inactive Drivers with Unexpired Points

Driver Points Next Expiry Notes
Jack Doohan 4 23 Mar 2026 Two collisions at 2025 Chinese GP.
Yuki Tsunoda 8 7 Dec 2026 Multiple incidents in 2025; could face issues if racing early.

Key Takeaways

  1. Oliver Bearman is the most at-risk driver, sitting just two points from a ban.

  2. Next points expiry is crucial—drivers like Lawson and Bearman must navigate the early 2026 races carefully.

  3. Penalty points are dynamic, dropping off one by one over the season as 12 months pass from each offence.

  4. The new FIA guidelines may reduce points issuance for minor incidents, potentially helping drivers stay under 12 points.