F1 News: Sergio Perez Tops Undesirable List - Driver Penalty Points Going Into 2024
Red Bull F1 driver Sergio Perez has emerged as the leader in an undesirable ranking: the accumulation of penalty points in Formula 1. As the sport prepares for the 2024 season, the Mexican finds himself at the top of this list.
Key Takeaways:
- Formula 1's penalty point system, introduced in 2014, aims to penalise drivers for consistent in-race offences. Accumulating 12 points within 12 months leads to a race ban.
- Red Bull's Sergio Perez currently leads the penalty points table with 7 points.
- A number of drivers, including Pierre Gasly, Charles Leclerc, and Fernando Alonso, have maintained a clean slate with zero penalty points.
The penalty point system, a fixture in Formula 1 since 2014, serves to deter drivers from causing accidents and repeatedly violating racing regulations. Each point can tip the scale towards a mandatory race ban for those accumulating 12 points in a 12-month period. The system also allows points to carry over from one season to the next, adding a layer of continuous responsibility for the drivers.
Sergio Perez, with 7 penalty points, sits precariously at the top of this list going into the 2024 season. Though not immediately at risk of a ban, Perez must navigate the upcoming races with extra caution. The list also features other prominent names, including Logan Sargeant of Williams with 6 points and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin with 5 points.
Interestingly, several drivers have managed to keep their records clean. The likes of Alex Albon, Fernando Alonso, and Pierre Gasly, among others, have no penalty points to their names.
Current Driver Penalty Points
- Sergio Perez, Red Bull - 7 points
- Logan Sargeant, Williams - 6 points
- Lance Stroll, Aston Martin - 5 points
- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 4 points
- George Russell, Mercedes - 4 points
- Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri - 3 points
- Nico Hulkenberg, Haas - 2 points
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull - 2 points
- Carlos Sainz, Ferrari - 2 points
- Zhou Guanyu, Sauber - 2 points
- Valtteri Bottas, Sauber - 2 points
Pierre Gasly, Daniel Ricciardo, Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, Alex Albon, Esteban Ocon, Oscar Piastri, and Kevin Magnussen have zero penalty points.