F1 Penalty Points Update: Bearman Nears Race Ban After Italian GP

Oliver Bearman is on the brink of a one-race suspension following the Italian Grand Prix, accumulating 10 penalty points on his Super Licence after an incident with Carlos Sainz at Monza. His status highlights the critical impact of the FIA's penalty point system.

Why it matters:

Penalty points can lead to a race ban if a driver reaches 12 points within a 12-month period, potentially sidelining a competitor for an entire Grand Prix. Bearman's current total puts him just two points away from this threshold, creating significant tension for the remainder of the 2025 F1 season.

The big picture:

The Super Licence penalty point system is designed to penalize dangerous or unsporting driving, ensuring driver accountability and safety on track. The Italian GP saw several shifts in these standings, with key incidents impacting multiple drivers' totals.

The details:

• Ollie Bearman leads the standings with 10 penalty points. His recent two-point penalty came from a collision with Carlos Sainz at Monza, for which the FIA deemed him responsible. This incident also resulted in a ten-second race penalty.
• Max Verstappen remains a high-risk driver, holding 9 points. Although some points were reinstated in late June after the Austrian GP, he is still precariously close to a ban.
• Oscar Piastri and Liam Lawson are tied with 6 points each.
• Kimi Antonelli climbed the ranks to 5 points after receiving two points for a collision involving Alex Albon.

Here is the updated penalty points overview after the Italian Grand Prix:

What's next:

All eyes will be on Bearman in upcoming races as he navigates the season just two points shy of a race ban. Drivers with accumulating points will need to exercise extreme caution to avoid further penalties as the championship progresses.