Here’s everything you need to know about how the points penalty system works in Formula One

Formula 1’s penalty points system is designed to keep the drivers’ behaviour on track in check, much like that of a normal road user trying to avoid getting points on their drivers’ licence. In F1, penalty points are issued for driver transgressions, with the amount varying depending on the severity of the incident. If a driver accumulates 12 points over the course of a 12-month period, the driver incurs a one-race ban.

Penalty points are handed to drivers if they do something that the FIA consider to be dangerous. This could be causing a collision, ignoring yellow flags, or even driving too fast under the safety car. When a driver receives a penalty point, they remain on their licence for a year before expiring.

F1 have made amendments to the rule book ahead of 2023 season

The governing body of F1, FIA have made stricter regulations at all levels of motorsport ahead of the new season. Besides penalty points, F1 drivers can now be banned from races or face penalties depending on various other offences. In its latest update, the FIA has banned all drivers across levels including F1, from making any non-neutral “political, religious or personal” statements or comments without prior permission. The new regulation has been updated in FIA’s International Sporting Code.

The recently updated version of the rule book states: “Drivers will be deemed to have committed a breach of the rules if they show the general making and display of political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA under its Statutes unless previously approved in writing by the FIA for International Competitions, or by the relevant ASN for National Competitions within their jurisdiction.” The decision from FIA comes after a number of controversial gestures from F1 drivers over political issues in the last few years.

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