F1 penalty points: LATE penalty nudges race winner closer to suspension… Read more

F1 penalty points: LATE penalty nudges race winner closer to suspension
By Hugo Harvey | October 21, 2025 | 10:00 GMT
Carlos Sainz’s weekend at the United States Grand Prix went from bad to worse after the FIA confirmed a post-race penalty that could have serious consequences for the Spaniard’s 2025 campaign. The Williams driver, who has been one of the standout performers this season with multiple podiums and race wins, was hit with a double punishment following a collision with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli at Circuit of the Americas.
The incident occurred in the early stages of Sunday’s main race when Sainz and Antonelli tangled while battling for position. The contact sent Antonelli spinning out of control, forcing him to drop down the order, while Sainz was forced to retire from the race altogether. At first, it was expected that the stewards would deem the collision a racing incident, but following a detailed review, the FIA concluded that Sainz was “predominantly at fault” for the clash.
Because Sainz did not finish the race, the time penalty that would have been applied could not be served. Instead, the stewards ruled that the Williams driver will face a five-place grid penalty for next weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, the 20th round of the season. However, the bigger blow came in the form of two penalty points added to his FIA Super Licence — a sanction that pushes Sainz’s total up to four points for the 12-month period.
Under current FIA regulations, drivers who accumulate 12 penalty points within a 12-month window receive an automatic one-race ban. This system, designed to discourage reckless or repeat offences, came into sharp focus last year when former Haas driver Kevin Magnussen was forced to sit out a race after reaching the threshold.
While Sainz remains well short of the suspension limit, his current tally means he cannot afford further disciplinary trouble. The earliest of his existing penalty points will not expire until April 2026, meaning that for the remainder of this season and the start of next year, the Spaniard will have to tread carefully. For Williams, who have enjoyed a resurgence in form this season thanks in large part to Sainz’s experience and consistency, the prospect of a suspension for their lead driver would be a nightmare scenario.
The United States weekend also saw another driver land in hot water with the stewards. Lance Stroll of Aston Martin was handed two penalty points after being found responsible for a collision with Esteban Ocon during the sprint race on Saturday. The Canadian’s total now stands at five, further tightening the race for who will be the next driver to face disciplinary consequences.
The current state of play in the penalty points standings shows a tense and telling picture of how discipline and aggression have shaped the 2025 season. Leading the table is Ollie Bearman of Haas, sitting precariously on 10 points, just two shy of a race ban. Max Verstappen, the three-time world champion and a consistent front-runner, follows closely behind with nine points, a reflection of a season filled with both brilliance and controversy.
Meanwhile, rising stars Oscar Piastri and Liam Lawson have each accumulated six points, while Antonelli and Stroll share five apiece. Sainz joins a mid-pack cluster of drivers — including Alex Albon, Yuki Tsunoda, and Jack Doohan — on four points, highlighting how quickly the penalties can pile up during a season of intense on-track competition.
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F1 Driver Penalty Points (as of United States Grand Prix 2025)
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Driver Team Penalty Points
Ollie Bearman Haas 10
Max Verstappen Red Bull 9
Oscar Piastri McLaren 6
Liam Lawson Racing Bulls 6
Lance Stroll Aston Martin 5
Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 5
Carlos Sainz Williams 4
Alex Albon Williams 4
Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull 4
Jack Doohan Alpine 4
Lando Norris McLaren 3
Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 2
Pierre Gasly Alpine 2
Esteban Ocon Haas 1
Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1
Franco Colapinto Alpine 1
George Russell Mercedes 1
Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 0
Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls 0
Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber 0
Nico Hulkenberg Sauber 0
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With just a few rounds remaining, the focus now turns to how Sainz and others will manage their approach in the closing stages of the championship. For some, particularly Bearman and Verstappen, every on-track battle carries not only the risk of losing points in the title fight but also the looming danger of suspension.
For Williams, the coming weeks will be crucial. With Sainz’s grid penalty set to compromise his starting position in Mexico, the team will need to rely heavily on strategic precision to recover lost ground. But the broader challenge remains ensuring their star driver avoids any further run-ins with the FIA — or risk starting the 2026 campaign on the sidelines.