With F1 penalty points carrying over, Verstappen and Alonso face a tough start, risking suspensions if infractions continue early in 2025.
As penalty points in F1 do not reset during the off-season, multiple drivers will already have points on their record when the 2025 season begins in Melbourne this March, marking the first of 24 races on the calendar.
The rule remains unchanged: drivers can accumulate up to 11 penalty points without consequences. However, upon reaching the 12th point, they face a one-race suspension as a penalty for repeated infractions.
Since its introduction over a decade ago, this rule has only resulted in one driver suspension. Kevin Magnussen missed the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Oliver Bearman stepping in as his replacement.
One of the two most at-risk drivers is Fernando Alonso, who will start the year with eight points. He is set to drop three points on March 24, bringing his total down to five—provided he does not incur further penalties.
Max Verstappen also holds eight penalty points. However, the situation is more challenging for the Red Bull driver, as he will only see two points removed from his license on June 30. While Alonso must complete just two race weekends with an eight-point balance, Verstappen will have to navigate 11 Grands Prix under this condition—nearly half the season.
Below is the list of penalty points at the start of the season, including the dates on which drivers will regain points and how many they will recover.
Penalty Points Overview
| Driver | Team | Points | Next Recovery (Points) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 8 | March 24 (3 pts) |
| Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 8 | June 30 (2 pts) |
| Nico Hülkenberg | Haas | 4 | June 30 (2 pts) |
| Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 4 | April 21 (2 pts) |
| Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 4 | November 2 (2 pts) |
| Esteban Ocon | Haas | 3 | May 4 (1 pt) |
| Lando Norris | McLaren | 3 | December 1 (3 pts) |
| Oliver Bearman | Haas | 2 | November 2 (2 pts) |
| Alex Albon | Williams | 2 | December 1 (2 pts) |
| Liam Lawson | Red Bull | 2 | December 1 (2 pts) |
| Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 1 | May 5 (1 pt) |
| George Russell | Mercedes | 1 | December 1 (1 pt) |
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F1 Penalty Drama: Verstappen & Alonso on the Edge F1 Penalty Drama: Verstappen & Alonso on the Edge