F1 penalty points: Top 5 delinquents after the 2025 F1 Abu Dhabi GP

The F1 penalty points system is in place to help keep the driving standards in Formula One under check. The early 2010s demanded a more structured approach to driver penalties, where questions were being asked about whether there was a better method that needed to be put in place because of an increased number of incidents between drivers.

As a result, a structured approach was put together by the FIA, as a part of which the drivers were given penalty points on the basis of their on-track transgressions. These penalty points would continue to be with the driver for a period of 12 months.

Drivers also had to be careful that they did not exceed the number of penalty points to their name by more than 12 points. If they accrue more than 12 F1 penalty points, the driver is banned from a race. Only one driver has faced a race ban until now for crossing this 12-point threshold. However, it would come as a surprise that the reigning champion is the closest to that threshold on the current grid.

With that being said, as we head to the F1 Spanish GP, who are the drivers that are the biggest delinquents in terms of penalty points? Let's take a look.

F1 Penalty Points: Who is closest to being banned

#5. 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)

#4. Max Verstappen

Penalty Points: 5

While others are accumulating points, Verstappen seems to be dropping down the delinquent list. Max Verstappen finds himself at five F1 penalty points now.

• Three points: Causing a collision with George Russell during the 2025 F1 Spanish GP (expires on June 1, 2026)
• Two points: Causing a collision with Oscar Piastri at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (expires on December 8, 2025)

#3. Oscar Piastri

Penalty Points: 6

Oscar Piastri has picked up a couple more in Brazil. He's at six penalty points for now.

• Two points: Causing a collision with Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc at the 2025 Brazilian GP (expires on November 9, 2026)
• Two points: Erratic braking in front of Max Verstappen before a restart (expires on July 6, 2026)
• Two points: Causing a collision with Franco Colapinto at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (expires on December 8, 2025)

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#2. Yuki Tsunoda

Penalty Points: 7

Yuki Tsunoda picked up a penalty for causing a collision with Lance Stroll during the Brazilian GP and is at seven F1 penalty points now.

• Two points: Causing a collision with Lance Stroll during the 2025 F1 Brazilian GP (expires on November 9, 2026)
• One point: Causing a collision with Ollie Bearman during the 2025 F1 British GP (expires on July 6, 2026)
• Two points: Causing a collision with Franco Colapinto during the 2025 F1 Austrian GP (expires on June 29, 2026)
• Two points: Overtaking under red flag conditions in the 2025 F1 Canadian GP (expires on June 14, 2026)

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#1. Ollie Bearman

Penalty Points: 9

Ollie Bearman is now alarmingly close to a race ban with 9 F1 penalty points to his name.

• 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 6, 2026)
• Two points: Red Flag infringement in Monaco GP FP2 (expires on May 23, 2026)
• Two points: Causing a collision with Carlos Sainz at the 2025 Italian GP (expires on September 7, 2026).