F1 penalty points: LATE penalty nudges race winner closer to suspension

Multiple-time F1 race winner Carlos Sainz has received a penalty points blow after a late penalty handed to him by FIA race stewards.

Sainz and Mercedes star Kimi Antonelli were involved in a collision early on in the United States Grand Prix main race, a collision that saw Antonelli spun round and tumble down the order, and Sainz out of the race altogether.

But the misery wouldn't stop there for Sainz. Following the conclusion of the race, it was announced that the Spaniard had been handed a penalty for causing a collision with Antonelli.

Due to the fact he was not still in the race to serve said penalty, Sainz will have to carry over a five-place grid drop to next weekend's Mexican GP, the 20th round of the season.

On top of that, however, the Williams star was also given two penalty points on his superlicence, meaning he is now up to four for the 12-month period.

12 points over 12 months are enough to see F1 stars slapped with a one-race ban from the sport, as we saw with Kevin Magnussen last season when he was driving for Haas.

Sainz is still some way off that, but the first of his penalty points do not expire until April next year, meaning the Spaniard will have to be careful in the latter stages of this season to avoid a nightmare scenario of a suspension to start off what will be a vital 2026 season for Williams.

Lance Stroll was the other driver to leave the Austin sprint race weekend with an extra two penalty points on his superlicence, taking him up to five for the 12-month period after being adjudged to have caused a collision with Esteban Ocon during the sprint race on Saturday.

F1 Driver Penalty Points

Every F1 driver's penalty points and when they expire

Red Bull

Max Verstappen - Nine points

Yuki Tsunoda - Four points

Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton - Two points

Charles Leclerc - One point

Mercedes

George Russell - One point

Kimi Antonelli - Five points

Alpine

Pierre Gasly - Two points

Franco Colapinto - One point

Jack Doohan - Four points

McLaren

Lando Norris - Three points

Oscar Piastri - Six points

Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso - Zero points

Lance Stroll - Five points

Haas

Esteban Ocon - One point

Ollie Bearman - 10 points

Racing Bulls

Liam Lawson - Six points

Isack Hadjar - Zero points

Williams

Carlos Sainz - Four points

Alex Albon - Four points

Sauber

Nico Hulkenberg - Zero points

Gabriel Bortoleto - Zero points

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