We have some news of an update to the way drivers penalty points are calculated.... Its to do with circumstances like the issue of points totting up as was highlighted last year when Pierre Gasly found himself in danger of being forced to sit out a grand prix for a relatively small rules breach.
Gasly was a bit pissed off and let the FIA know that it wasnt on that he was on the brink of a ban for in effect a string of silly non dangerous events that mounted up.... being treated like a criminal for no real reason.
"I'm not going to lie. It's a very unpleasant situation and quite delicate. In some ways, also a bit embarrassing to be standing in a position where I could be banned.
"After the season that I've done, I don't really feel like I've been particularly dangerous over these last 12 months, and that will be definitely a harsh penalty."
The FIA agreed to review their process....
FIA revises F1 penalty points approach for 2023
F1's penalty points system has been adjusted for 2023 to avoid the risk of drivers facing race bans for a run of minor offences
After talks between the rule makers, the teams and drivers, it was agreed that stewards would, from the start of the 2023 season, take a much more considered approach when it came to dishing out penalty points.
With the original intention of the penalty system being to prevent dangerous driving, the FIA will continue to hand out points for offences that are deemed unsafe.
However, for rules breaches that are more sporting related – such as track limits breaches – then no points will be given out from now on.
The new approach already had an impact at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, where the stewards handed out sporting sanctions without penalty points.
Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon, who both earned time penalties for a variety of offences, escaped having any penalty points added to their licences.
Gasly has lucked out though as he had already been given the points..... he still remains on 10 points, however, with his first points due to expire on 22 May. At least he now knows that he will not get silly points to tip him into a ban situation. He will have to do something deemed dangerous. ie not track limits or lining up on the grid a few inches from your mark.
Time for an update of who has what points against them
F1 driver penalty points:
Driver Points Next points dropped
France Pierre Gasly 10 22.05.23 (2 points)
Canada Lance Stroll 8 09.04.23 (2 points)
Thailand Alex Albon 7 27.03.23 (2 points)
Spain Fernando Alonso 6 08.05.23 (3 points)
France Esteban Ocon 5 20.03.23 (2 points)
China Zhou Guanyu 4 27.03.23 (1 points)
Japan Yuki Tsunoda 4 03.07.23 (2 points)
United Kingdom George Russell 4 10.07.23 (2 points)
Denmark Kevin Magnussen 3 08.05.23 (2 points)
United Kingdom Lando Norris 3 10.07.23 (1 points)
Germany Sebastian Vettel 2 10.07.23 (1 points)
Mexico Sergio Perez 2 02.10.23 (2 points)
Netherlands Max Verstappen 2 13.11.23 (2 points)
Monaco Charles Leclerc 1 09.10.23 (1 points)