FIA Superlicence Pressure Mounts: Oliver Bearman Heads List of Drivers Nearing F1 Race Ban

As the Formula 1 season draws towards its climax and the 2025 calendar looms, the intricate system of FIA superlicence penalty points continues to cast a long shadow over the grid. Currently, British rookie Oliver Bearman finds himself in the most precarious position, leading the classification of drivers at the highest risk of incurring a race suspension in the upcoming season. The stringent regulations dictate that accumulating 12 penalty points within a rolling 12-month period results in an automatic one-grand prix ban, a consequence that no driver has yet faced under the current iteration of the system.

The superlicence penalty point system, introduced by the FIA to promote cleaner and safer driving standards, assigns points to drivers for various on-track infringements. These range from minor transgressions like track limits violations and impeding other drivers to more severe offences such as causing collisions, unsafe releases, or ignoring flag signals. Each point remains active on a driver’s licence for precisely 12 months from the date of the offence, creating a dynamic and continuous assessment of their conduct.

Bearman, who impressed with his Formula 1 debut filling in for Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, has amassed a significant nine penalty points. This tally places him just three points shy of the critical threshold. His current accumulation stems from a series of incidents recorded between November 3, 2024, and September 7, 2025. These infractions include two separate instances of causing collisions, an overtaking manoeuvre executed under yellow flag conditions, and a failure to comply with a red flag instruction. These offences highlight a challenging period for the young driver, who is navigating the intense pressure of top-tier motorsport while striving for consistency and discipline.

The chronological progression of Bearman’s points has been particularly tense. He entered a crucial phase of the season with elevated risk for the Baku, Singapore, Austin, and Mexico Grands Prix. Successfully navigating these events, his tally temporarily dropped to eight points, with two points incurred at Interlagos last year expiring. However, this respite was short-lived. His points immediately rose back to nine following an incident on the same track where he was judged to have squeezed Liam Lawson onto the grass, an action deemed worthy of a further penalty point.

Related News :

This current situation means Bearman must exercise extreme caution in the forthcoming races, including the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the Qatar Grand Prix, and the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The stakes remain high for him into the early part of the following year as well, given that his next points expiration will not occur until May 23, 2026, which falls during the seventh round of the next season. Any further infringements during this extensive period could easily trigger the dreaded one-race suspension, a scenario that would undoubtedly disrupt his season and impact his team’s performance.

While the original article suggested Kevin Magnussen had served a ban in 2024, it is important to clarify that no driver has yet been suspended under the current superlicence penalty point system. Magnussen did, however, come perilously close during the 2024 season, accumulating 10 points at one stage. His high tally prompted considerable discussion and concern within the paddock regarding the system’s application and the fine line drivers walk. Magnussen’s situation served as a stark reminder of the constant vigilance required and the potential impact on driver availability and team strategies. The notion that Bearman replaced Magnussen due to a ban is inaccurate; Bearman’s F1 debut was due to Sainz’s appendicitis, and while Magnussen did have a high number of points, he did not reach the 12-point threshold for a ban.

Behind Bearman, a trio of competitive drivers currently sits on seven penalty points: Liam Lawson, Lance Stroll, and Yuki Tsunoda. Each faces a unique timeline for point expiration, influencing their immediate risk profile. Lawson and Stroll are set to see their tallies decrease by two points each on December 1, offering them some relief as the calendar year concludes. This expiration will reduce their active points to five, significantly lessening their immediate threat of a ban.

Conversely, Yuki Tsunoda faces a more protracted period of high risk. His current seven points will not begin to expire until June 14, 2026, coinciding with the ninth grand prix of the season. Tsunoda, known for his aggressive driving style and occasional brushes with race stewards, will need to maintain impeccable discipline for a considerable duration to avoid adding to his current count. His situation underscores how the rolling 12-month period can create sustained pressure, particularly for drivers whose points are set to expire later in the following season.

Even reigning world champion Max Verstappen has not been immune to the superlicence system’s reach. Earlier this year, Verstappen found himself precariously close to a ban, having accumulated 11 points. This situation, involving one of the sport’s most dominant figures, highlighted the universal application of the rules regardless of a driver’s standing. Currently, Verstappen’s tally stands at six points. Should he maintain a clean sheet through the Las Vegas and Qatar Grands Prix, he is slated to lose another point on November 30, further reducing his risk. His experience demonstrates that even the most accomplished drivers must meticulously manage their on-track conduct to avoid potential suspensions that could jeopardise championship campaigns.

In contrast to these high-risk scenarios, four drivers currently boast immaculate superlicence records, free of any penalty points. This group includes two seasoned veterans and two promising rookies, reflecting a blend of experience and emerging talent. Fernando Alonso, the two-time world champion renowned for his tactical brilliance and clean racing, maintains a perfect record. He is joined by Nico Hulkenberg, another experienced campaigner, who consistently demonstrates a disciplined approach to racing. Among the rookies, Sauber duo Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar also hold clean licences, a testament to their careful integration into the sport and their ability to avoid on-track incidents worthy of penalties. Their clean records offer a benchmark for meticulous driving and adherence to the sporting regulations.

The FIA’s superlicence penalty point system serves as a critical component of Formula 1’s regulatory framework, designed to uphold safety, fair play, and consistent standards of conduct across the grid. The ongoing pressure on drivers like Bearman, Lawson, Stroll, and Tsunoda underscores the constant vigilance required in a sport where split-second decisions can have significant, long-lasting consequences. The looming prospect of a race ban not only affects individual drivers but also carries substantial implications for their respective teams, potentially impacting constructors’ championship standings and team morale. As the season progresses and new challenges arise, the management of penalty points will remain a silent but potent narrative throughout the paddock, shaping strategies and influencing driver behaviour on the global stage of Formula 1.

💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook

Author Profile

Jonas Leo: Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.