Rules & penalties · Updated for 2026
F1 penalty points and race bans explained
How points placed on a Super Licence accumulate separately from championship points.
Quick answer
Stewards can add penalty points to a driver's Super Licence for driving offences. Accumulating 12 points within a rolling 12-month period triggers a one-event suspension.
Why points exist
A time penalty addresses one incident, while licence points track repeated or serious conduct across events. They give cumulative consequences to a pattern of offences.
The rolling window
Each point remains active for the period specified by the International Sporting Code. The total can fall as older entries expire, even during a season.
The suspension
Reaching the threshold means the driver misses the next applicable championship event. Teams must then manage any replacement under the current entry rules.