F1 Penalty Points Before Azerbaijan GP: Bearman, Hamilton and Others

Formula 1‘s penalty points system is designed to discourage dangerous or repeated driving infringements by placing additional consequences on drivers who breach the sporting regulations. Unlike a standard race penalty, these points remain attached to a driver’s super licence for a defined period before they expire.

The system was introduced in 2014 following concerns about driving standards and the frequency of incidents involving some drivers. It created a more structured way of monitoring repeated offences across a season rather than treating each incident as an isolated case.

Under the current system, a driver who accumulates 12 penalty points within a 12-month period faces a race ban. The points are not permanent, however, and expire individually after the relevant 12-month period.

Kevin Magnussen became the first F1 driver to serve a ban after reaching the 12-point threshold in 2024. That precedent means penalty totals can become an important subplot as a season progresses, particularly for drivers who repeatedly find themselves involved in incidents.

How the F1 Penalty Points System Works

F1 penalty points are separate from the time penalties, grid penalties or other sporting punishments that may be handed out during a Grand Prix weekend. Stewards can award points for specific driving infringements, depending on the circumstances of an incident.

Each point remains on the driver’s licence for 12 months from the date of the offence. Once the relevant period ends, that point expires. This means the order of drivers closest to a ban can change quickly as older points disappear.

1. Ollie Bearman — Four Penalty Points

Ollie Bearman is listed as the driver with the highest penalty-point total heading into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with four points attached to his super licence.

The Haas driver accumulated those points through three separate incidents. One point came for changing direction while defending during the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. That point is listed as expiring on December 7, 2026.

Bearman received another point after being involved in a collision with Liam Lawson during the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix Sprint. According to the supplied record, that point is due to expire on November 8, 2026.

The final two points in the listed total came from his collision with Carlos Sainz at the 2025 Italian Grand Prix. The source records those points with an expiry date of September 7, 2026.

Bearman’s position therefore illustrates why the timing of penalty-point expiry is just as important as the headline total. Drivers can see their totals change without committing another offence simply because an older sanction reaches its 12-month limit.

2. Kimi Antonelli — Three Penalty Points

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli is next on the list with three penalty points in the supplied record.

Two of Antonelli’s points came after his collision with Charles Leclerc at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix. Those points were listed as expiring on August 31, 2026.

He also received one point for forcing another driver off the track at the 2025 Italian Grand Prix. That point was listed with an expiry date of September 7, 2026.

Antonelli’s case highlights the importance of looking at the dates behind a driver’s total rather than simply counting the number displayed in an article. Penalty points are temporary, and older incidents eventually stop contributing to the 12-point threshold.

3. Lewis Hamilton — Three Penalty Points

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is also listed with three penalty points.

One point was awarded for causing a collision with Franco Colapinto during the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix. The source gives November 9, 2026, as the expiry date for that point.

Hamilton’s other two points came from failing to slow sufficiently under yellow flags during a reconnaissance lap before the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix. Those points were listed as expiring on August 31, 2026.

Hamilton’s total is notable because his record contains both a collision-related offence and a yellow-flag infringement. The two types of incidents demonstrate that penalty points can arise from different areas of the sporting regulations rather than only from contact between cars.

With Hamilton continuing to compete at the front of the F1 field, the expiry dates attached to his points remain relevant to his licence status during the season.

4. Alex Albon — Three Penalty Points

Williams driver Alex Albon is another driver included among those carrying three penalty points in the supplied list.

One point came from a collision with Lewis Hamilton at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. That point is listed as expiring on November 23, 2026.

Albon’s other two points were awarded after a collision with Franco Colapinto at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The source lists September 21, 2026, as the expiry date for those points.

As with the other drivers on the list, the important factor is not simply the number three but the individual dates attached to each sanction. A driver’s total can change as those dates pass.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix itself therefore arrives at an interesting point in the penalty-point calendar, with several older sanctions approaching or reaching their expiry windows.

5. Lance Stroll — Three Penalty Points

Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll completes the five-driver list with three penalty points.

One point was awarded for changing direction while defending during the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The source records December 7, 2026, as its expiry date.

Stroll’s other two points came after a collision with Esteban Ocon during the 2025 United States Grand Prix Sprint. Those points are listed as expiring on October 18, 2026.

That means the next few rounds of the season could be significant for the composition of Stroll’s penalty record. The expiration of older points can reduce the accumulated total, provided no new sanctions are added in the meantime.

Why Penalty Points Matter in Formula 1

The biggest consequence of the penalty-point system is the possibility of a race ban. A driver reaching 12 points within the applicable 12-month period can be suspended from the next Grand Prix.

That creates a distinction between ordinary race penalties and licence points. A five-second or 10-second penalty may affect the result of one race, while penalty points can have implications for a driver’s participation in a future event.

The system also gives drivers an incentive to avoid accumulating repeated offences. Because points remain active for 12 months, several incidents across different races can eventually build into a much larger disciplinary issue.

Penalty Points Can Change Without a New Incident

One of the most important details for fans following the standings is that penalty-point totals are not static.

For example, if a driver has three points but two of them reach their 12-month expiry date, the driver could suddenly move from three active points to one without receiving any new penalty. Conversely, a fresh incident can add points while older ones are still active.

This makes the expiry calendar almost as important as the original offences when assessing who is approaching the 12-point threshold.

Bearman Has the Highest Listed Total

Among the five drivers identified in the supplied record, Bearman has the highest listed total at four points, while Antonelli, Hamilton, Albon and Stroll are each listed on three.

Even so, the difference between four and three points should not be viewed in isolation. The 12-month expiry mechanism means that the dates of individual penalties matter when considering a driver’s current disciplinary position.

It is also important to distinguish between being among the drivers with the most points and being immediately close to a race ban. The five drivers listed here remain below the 12-point threshold described by the system, and their totals can change as individual points expire.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix Adds Another Layer

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is traditionally one of the more demanding races on the Formula 1 calendar because of its combination of long straights, heavy braking zones and tight sections. That environment can create opportunities for overtaking but also leaves little room for mistakes when cars run close together.

For drivers carrying penalty points, avoiding unnecessary incidents is particularly important because another stewarding decision could add to their existing total.

At the same time, the presence of penalty points does not mean a driver is expected to receive another sanction. Each incident is assessed on its own circumstances, and stewards determine whether an infringement has occurred and what penalty, if any, is appropriate.

What to Watch During the Azerbaijan GP Weekend

• On-track battles: Close racing and defensive moves will be particularly relevant for drivers already carrying licence points.
• Stewards’ decisions: Any incident involving the five listed drivers could affect their penalty records.
• Expiry dates: Several older points are approaching their listed 12-month expiry windows.
• Bearman’s total: The Haas driver’s four-point figure is the highest among the five drivers identified in the supplied record.
• The 12-point threshold: A driver must reach the specified threshold within the applicable period to face a race ban.

Final Verdict

The F1 penalty-points system adds another layer of accountability to Grand Prix racing by tracking serious or repeated driving infringements over a rolling 12-month period. Ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Ollie Bearman is listed with four points, while Kimi Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton, Alex Albon and Lance Stroll are each listed with three.

However, the totals need to be read alongside their individual expiry dates. Because penalty points disappear after their 12-month validity period, the disciplinary picture can change even without a new incident.

For the Azerbaijan weekend, the main focus will therefore be on whether any of these drivers become involved in further stewarding incidents and how the expiry of older points reshapes the list during the remainder of the 2026 Formula 1 season.