In Formula 1, aggressive driving can come at a high cost: accumulating penalty points could lead to a race ban.
As we reported on Sunday, Max Verstappen is dangerously close to a penalty: the Dutchman recently received three more points for “dangerous driving,” bringing him to 11 penalty points on his FIA Super Licence — just one away from the 12-point threshold that triggers an automatic one-race suspension.
What is the FIA Super Licence?
The FIA Super Licence is the essential requirement to compete in Formula 1 Grands Prix. Issued by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), it acts as a “special license” confirming a driver’s eligibility to race in F1, based on technical skills, racing experience, and knowledge of the regulations. Talent alone isn’t enough — drivers must meet strict criteria involving race results, theoretical knowledge, and personal qualifications.
Since 2016, the requirements have included possession of a standard driver’s license and a minimum age of 18. These changes came after Max Verstappen debuted in F1 with Toro Rosso at just 17. That decision, while ultimately successful, led the FIA to implement tighter regulations to ensure drivers have enough maturity and experience before racing at over 300 km/h in the sport’s highest tier.
To obtain a Super Licence, a driver must accumulate at least 40 points over the previous three seasons through results in feeder series. Points are awarded based on championship standings: the top three in Formula 2 each earn 40 points, while IndyCar grants 40 points only to the series champion.
Additional ways to earn points include completing 100 km of free practice in F1 (1 point per 100 km, up to 10), finishing a full FIA season without penalties (2 points), or winning prestigious events like the Macau Grand Prix (5 points).
However, drivers can also accumulate penalty points on their Super Licence. Reaching 12 points results in an automatic one-race suspension — as seen with Nicola Lacorte in F3 this weekend and Kevin Magnussen last year. These penalty points expire 365 days after being issued.
Penalty Points Standings in F1
Here are the current FIA penalty point totals for F1 drivers:
- Max Verstappen – 11 points
- Liam Lawson – 6 points
- Ollie Bearman – 4 points
- Oscar Piastri – 4 points
- Nico Hulkenberg – 4 points
- Lando Norris – 3 points
- Lance Stroll – 3 points
- Alexander Albon – 2 points
- Fernando Alonso – 2 points
- Carlos Sainz – 2 points
- Franco Colapinto – 2 points
- George Russell – 1 point
Remember, 12 points equals a suspension. Verstappen will be at risk during the Canadian and Austrian Grands Prix — but two of his points will expire on June 30, 2025, potentially dropping him back down to 9.
Photo: Formula 1
