5 biggest delinquents before the 2026 Spanish GP

The F1 penalty points were first introduced to help the FIA have a metric in place to keep the driving standards above a threshold. These regulations were a result of an alarming dip seen in the early 2010s, where a new crop of drivers was seen being involved in far too many crashes.

This led to a demand for a system that is more standard in terms of its approach and hence helps keep everything else in check. Hence, in 2014, we had the F1 penalty points system being introduced, where drivers were given points for every on-track transgression.

The first driver to get banned from this system was Kevin Magnussen. The Danish driver was banned from racing in 2024 for crossing the threshold of 12 F1 penalty points. As we get ready for the F1 Spanish GP. Where do the drivers stand in terms of penalty points? Let’s take a look.

F1 Penalty Points: Who is close to a ban?

#1. Ollie Bearman

Penalty Points: 8

Ollie Bearman now has 8 F1 penalty points to his name.

• One point: Change of direction while defending during the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP (expires on December 7, 2026).
• One point: Causing a collision with Liam Lawson at the 2025 Brazilian GP sprint (expires on November 8, 2026).
• Four points: Red Flag infringement in the pitlane during British GP (expires July 5, 2026)
• Two points: Causing a collision with Carlos Sainz at the 2025 Italian GP (expires on September 7, 2026).

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#2. Lance Stroll

Penalty Points: 5

Lance Stroll is currently at five F1 penalty points on his license.

• One point: Change of direction while defending during the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP (expires on December 7, 2026).
• Two points: Causing a collision with Esteban Ocon at the US GP sprint (expires on October 18, 2026)
• Two points: Pushing another driver off track at the Canadian GP (expires on June 15, 2026)

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#3. Kimi Antonelli

Penalty Points: 5

Kimi Antonelli had a disastrous incident with Charles Leclerc in Zandvoort and is now at 5 F1 penalty points.

• Two points: Causing a collision with Charles Leclerc in the 2025 F1 Dutch GP (expires on August 31, 2026)
• Two points: Causing a collision with Max Verstappen in the 2025 F1 Austrian GP (expires on June 29, 2026)
• One point: Forcing another driver off the track at the 2025 F1 Italian GP (expires on September 7, 2026)

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#4. Lewis Hamilton

Penalty Points: 3

The seven-time F1 champion was issued a penalty point for his incident with Franco Colapinto. He’s now at 3 points.

• One point: Causing a collision with Franco Colapinto during the 2025 F1 Brazilian GP (expires on November 1, 2026)
• Two points: for failing to slow down under yellow flags during a reconnaissance lap prior to the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix (expires on 31 August 2026)

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#5. Alex Albon

Penalty Points: 3

Alex Albon has three F1 penalty points on his license.

• One point: Causing a collision with Lewis Hamilton at the Las Vegas GP (expires on November 23, 2026)
• Two points: Causing a collision with Franco Colapinto at the Azerbaijan GP (expires on September 21, 2026)

Edited by Charanjot Singh Kohli