What are penalty points in F1 and how do they work?
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Formula 1 drivers will receive a one-race suspension if they pick up 12 penalty points on their super licence in a 12-month period.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen will receive a one-race ban, should he pick up any penalty points in his next two races.
The Dutchman, 27, was handed three penalty points after appearing to deliberately crash into Mercedes' George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday.
Verstappen received a 10-second penalty for the collision but was later given three penalty points on his Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) super licence, taking him to 11 penalty points for the past 12 months.
Verstappen has two points which expire on 30 June, meaning should he avoid any further points at this month's Canadian and Austrian Grands Prix, he would not reach the threshold for a suspension unless he receives three or more points before 27 October.
Penalty points are given for a range of offences, with points handed out based on the severity of the incident.
These include causing collisions, driving too slowly in pit lanes and overtaking while a red flag is being waved.
Once drivers hit 12 points, they are banned for one race and all points are removed once their ban is served.
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Max Verstappen dropped from fifth to 10th at Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix following the crash with George Russell
When were super licence penalty points introduced?
In 2014, the FIA introduced a penalty points system.
To date, the only driver to have been suspended for a race because of penalty points was former Haas driver Kevin Magnussen.
In September 2024, Magnussen served a one-race ban and missed the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as a result of picking up 12 penalty points within a 12-month period.
When do Verstappen's points expire?
Points expire 12 months on from when they were first received.
The first two of Verstappen's 11 points expire on 30 June, a day after this month's Austrian Grand Prix.
After that, none of his remaining nine points expire until 27 October, one day after the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Two points: 30 June, 2025 – one day after Austrian Grand Prix
Two points: 27 October, 2025 – one day after Mexico City Grand Prix
One point: 1 November, 2025 – six days after Mexico City Grand Prix
One point: 1 December, 2025 – one day after Qatar Grand Prix
Two points: 8 December, 2025 - one day after Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Three points: 1 June, 2026
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