**Understanding the F1 Penalty Points System Ahead of the 2025 Brazilian GP**
The Formula 1 penalty points system was introduced by the FIA to maintain driving standards within the sport. In the early 2010s, a noticeable decline in driving discipline—highlighted by frequent collisions involving a new generation of drivers—prompted the need for stricter regulatory measures. One pivotal moment was when Romain Grosjean received a race ban after causing a massive pile-up at the Belgian GP.
As a result, the FIA implemented the penalty points system in 2014. Under this system, drivers receive penalty points for on-track infractions. If a driver accumulates 12 penalty points within a 12-month period, they face a race ban. Kevin Magnussen was the first driver to be banned under these new regulations.
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### F1 Penalty Points Standings Before the 2025 Brazilian GP
As we approach the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix, here is an up-to-date look at how the grid stacks up in terms of penalty points:
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#### 1. Lando Norris – 3 Penalty Points
– **Incident:** Ignoring yellow flags at the 2024 Qatar GP
– **Points expire on:** December 1, 2025
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#### 2. Oscar Piastri – 6 Penalty Points
– **Incidents:**
– Erratic braking in front of Max Verstappen before a restart (expires July 6, 2026)
– Causing a collision with Franco Colapinto at the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP (expires December 8, 2025)
– Causing a collision with Liam Lawson at the 2024 Brazilian GP (expires November 2, 2025)
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#### 3. Charles Leclerc – 1 Penalty Point
– **Incident:** Erratic driving while defending against George Russell at the 2024 Hungarian GP
– **Points expire on:** August 3, 2026
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#### 4. Lewis Hamilton – 2 Penalty Points
– **Incident:** Failing to slow down under yellow flags during a reconnaissance lap prior to the 2025 Dutch GP
– **Points expire on:** August 31, 2026
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#### 5. Max Verstappen – 7 Penalty Points
– **Incidents:**
– Causing a collision with George Russell at the 2025 Spanish GP (expires June 1, 2026)
– Causing a collision with Oscar Piastri at the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP (expires December 8, 2025)
– Driving unnecessarily slowly in the 2024 Qatar GP Qualifying (expires December 1, 2025)
– Virtual Safety Car infringement during the 2024 Brazilian GP Sprint (expires November 1, 2025)
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#### 6. Yuki Tsunoda – 5 Penalty Points
– **Incidents:**
– Causing a collision with Ollie Bearman during the 2025 British GP (expires July 6, 2026)
– Causing a collision with Franco Colapinto during the 2025 Austrian GP (expires June 29, 2026)
– Overtaking under red flag conditions during the 2025 Canadian GP (expires June 14, 2026)
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#### 7. George Russell – 1 Penalty Point
– **Incident:** Safety Car infringement at the 2024 Qatar GP
– **Points expire on:** December 1, 2025
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#### 8. Kimi Antonelli – 5 Penalty Points
– **Incidents:**
– Causing a collision with Charles Leclerc at the 2025 Dutch GP (expires August 31, 2026)
– Causing a collision with Max Verstappen at the 2025 Austrian GP (expires June 29, 2026)
– Forcing another driver off the track at the 2025 Italian GP (expires September 7, 2026)
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#### 9. Fernando Alonso – 0 Penalty Points
Alonso has cleared his previous penalty points and currently holds a clean record for the season.
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#### 10. Lance Stroll – 7 Penalty Points
– **Incidents:**
– Causing a collision with Esteban Ocon at the US GP Sprint (expires October 20, 2026)
– Pushing another driver off track at the Canadian GP (expires June 15, 2026)
– Causing a collision with Charles Leclerc at the Monaco GP (expires May 25, 2026)
– Causing a collision with Alex Albon at the Qatar GP (expires December 1, 2025)
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#### 11. Pierre Gasly – 2 Penalty Points
– **Incident:** Causing a collision with Carlos Sainz at the Hungarian GP
– **Points expire on:** August 3, 2026
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#### 12. Franco Colapinto – 1 Penalty Point
– **Incident:** Forcing another driver off the track during the 2025 Austrian GP
– **Points expire on:** June 29, 2026
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#### 13. Esteban Ocon – 1 Penalty Point
– **Incident:** Forcing Lance Stroll off the track at the 2025 Italian GP
– **Points expire on:** September 7, 2026
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#### 14. Ollie Bearman – 10 Penalty Points
Bearman is alarmingly close to a race ban with 10 points recorded on his license.
– **Incidents:**
– Red Flag infringement in the pit lane during the 2025 British GP (expires July 6, 2026)
– Red Flag infringement in Monaco GP FP2 (expires May 23, 2026)
– Causing a collision with Franco Colapinto at the 2024 Brazilian GP (expires November 2, 2025)
– Causing a collision with Carlos Sainz at the 2025 Italian GP (expires September 7, 2026)
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#### 15. Liam Lawson – 6 Penalty Points
– **Incidents:**
– Causing a collision at the Miami GP (expires May 3, 2026)
– Two collisions at the Bahrain GP totaling 3 points (expire April 14, 2026)
– Causing a collision with Valtteri Bottas at the Qatar GP (expires December 1, 2025)
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#### 16. Isack Hadjar – 0 Penalty Points
Hadjar maintains a clean slate for the season so far.
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#### 17. Carlos Sainz – 4 Penalty Points
– **Incidents:**
– Causing a collision with Kimi Antonelli at the US GP (expires October 20, 2026)
– Causing a collision at the Bahrain GP (expires April 14, 2026)
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#### 18. Alex Albon – 4 Penalty Points
– **Incidents:**
– Causing a collision with Franco Colapinto at the Azerbaijan GP (expires September 21, 2026)
– Causing a collision with Kevin Magnussen at the Qatar GP (expires December 1, 2025)
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#### 19. Nico Hulkenberg – 0 Penalty Points
Hulkenberg currently holds no penalty points on his license.
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#### 20. Gabriel Bortoleto – 0 Penalty Points
The Brazilian rookie has successfully maintained a penalty-free record to date.
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### Looking Ahead
With several drivers nearing the 12-point threshold that would lead to a race ban, the 2025 Brazilian GP promises to be intense, not just on the track but also in terms of discipline and regulatory scrutiny. Fans and teams alike will be watching closely to see who can keep their noses clean and who might be forced to serve a suspension as a result of accumulated penalty points.
Stay tuned as the season unfolds and driving standards continue to be a pivotal aspect of the championship battle.
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*Article edited by Charanjot Singh Kohli.*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/f1-penalty-points-drivers-penalty-points-2025-f1-brazilian-gp