Every F1 PENALTY EXPLAINED in 10 minutes

Why a penalty can change everything

A single penalty can flip a race result, swing a championship and turn jubilation into outrage in seconds. Knowing how penalties are decided and applied helps make sense of the drama—why some incidents are punished, why others are not, and why similar incidents sometimes receive different outcomes.

Who decides penalties?

The decisions come from the FIA stewards. Each event has a panel of three or four stewards appointed by the FIA whose job is to ensure the event runs according to the Sporting Regulations and the International Sporting Code.

Typical panels include a former race driver, a national steward from the host country and a permanent FIA steward. Every steward must hold an international grade A stewarding license to demonstrate familiarity with the rule book. They operate independently from the race director and are meant to enforce the rules fairly and transparently.

Stewards are currently classed as volunteers and are reimbursed for expenses but not paid a salary. That has prompted calls from some drivers to professionalize the role, arguing that a global sport at this scale should have full-time paid officials. The rotating volunteer system reduces conflicts of interest but can also introduce variability: how one panel interprets a rule can differ from another panel on a different weekend.

How incidents are reported and investigated

Incidents reach the stewards in two main ways. The race director can report an incident to them, or the stewards can note something themselves. When an incident is under formal consideration, it appears as an “under investigation” message that lists the drivers involved.

Once under investigation, stewards gather evidence: TV footage, on-board cameras, telemetry and any other relevant material. They consult the FIA Sporting Regulations—a detailed rulebook that sets out punishable offences and standard consequences. If the evidence does not support action, the stewards will issue a decision of no further action. If a breach is found, a formal decision and penalty are published. Sometimes investigations take place after a session or race, and those involved are summoned to the stewards’ room to present their case.

Penalty types: from warnings to disqualification

Penalties exist on a spectrum. The stewards use escalating options depending on the severity and context of the offence.

• Warning: The lowest level, typically for a first offence such as exceeding track limits.
• Reprimand: A formal warning that sits above a simple warning. Drivers can collect up to four reprimands in a season—if a fifth is issued, it triggers a 10-place grid penalty at the next race.
• Fine: Monetary penalties can accompany other sanctions. Examples include a €5,000 fine and a reprimand for doing an extra formation lap during an aborted start at the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix.
• Time penalty: The most common race-time punishment. If issued during the race, the driver serves a fixed time while the car is stationary in the pit box. If the driver does not pit after being given a time penalty, the time is added to their race time. Time penalties can also be applied post-race and can change finishing positions.
• Drive-through penalty: The driver must enter pit lane, travel at the pit speed limit without stopping and rejoin the race. Once the team is told, the driver has two laps to serve it.
• Stop and go: Similar to a drive-through but the driver must stop in the pit box for the specified time. Mechanics are not allowed to work on the car during this stop.
• Grid penalty: A driver is dropped a set number of places from their qualifying slot—commonly five or ten places depending on the infringement.
• Disqualification or suspension: For serious breaches, a driver or team can be disqualified from a session or race, or even suspended from the next event. A notable example is the disqualification of two cars after failing post-race scrutineering.

Penalty points and the right of review

Penalty points on a super licence work like demerit points on a road licence. Collect 12 penalty points within a 12-month period and you receive a race ban for the next event. Points expire after 12 months from when they were awarded.

Teams and drivers have the right of review. To overturn a decision, the team must produce new and significant evidence that was not available during the original investigation. A clear example involved a driver whose time penalty and licence points were appealed after additional 360-degree footage was presented; the stewards removed the licence points but the time penalty that had already been served on track could not be undone.

Off-track behaviour and how fines are applied

Penalties are not limited to on-track events. The FIA’s International Sporting Code covers off-track conduct and speech. Typical categories include:

• Harmful words or deeds: Statements or actions that damage the reputation of the FIA or motorsport can bring fines up to €5,000.
• Misconduct: Offensive or abusive language or gestures and aggressive physical behaviour can also attract fines up to €5,000.
• Public incitement to violence or hatred: This can be punished by fines up to €20,000 and may require a public apology or withdrawal of statements.
• Political, religious or personal statements made at an event without prior written FIA approval can be fined up to €20,000.
• Failing ceremonial instructions: Not following podium or anthem procedures can also lead to fines; one case resulted in a €20,000 fine with part suspended after medical evidence was presented.

In 2024 the FIA collected €270,000 in fines. Officially those funds are directed to safety projects, grassroots motorsport and road safety initiatives, but limited public accounting of how the money is spent has created friction and calls for clearer reporting.

Notable examples that show the range

A few incidents highlight how wide the penalties spectrum can be:

• Spygate, 2007: McLaren fined $100,000,000 for possessing confidential Ferrari technical information—one of the biggest fines in sporting history.
• Pit lane micro-speeding: A driver was fined €100 for exceeding pit speed by 0.9 km/h, showing how strictly rules are enforced.
• Broadcast conduct: A high-profile driver was sanctioned with community service work for swearing during a live broadcast, demonstrating non-monetary penalties can be used for reputational or behavioural issues.

Final thoughts

The stewarding system aims to balance fairness, safety and the integrity of the sport, but it operates under real constraints: human interpretation, rotating panels and limited transparency around fines. Clearer reporting of how fines are allocated and a move toward professional, paid stewards are two recurring suggestions for improving consistency and trust.

Understanding the available penalties and how they are applied will make race weekends less mystifying and more engaging. The rules exist to protect competitors and the sport, but how they are enforced will always be a live debate among teams, drivers and fans.

FAQ

Who sits on the stewarding panel?

Panels are made up of three to four stewards, typically including a former race driver, a national steward from the host country and a permanent FIA steward. All hold an international grade A stewarding licence.

Can a penalty be appealed?

Yes. Teams can trigger a right of review by presenting new, significant evidence that was not available at the original hearing. If successful, sanctions like licence points can be rescinded, though in-race time penalties already served on track usually stand.

What happens if a driver collects 12 penalty points?

Accumulating 12 penalty points within 12 months results in a race ban for the next event. Each point expires 12 months after it was awarded.

Where do fines paid to the FIA go?

Officially the money funds safety projects, grassroots motorsport and road safety initiatives. Public tracking of exactly where each euro goes is limited, which has prompted calls for greater transparency.

---

Want F1 photos? If you’re a fan who enjoys the race-weekend drama described above, consider collecting high-quality race photography. Shop for Signed prints, visit Kym Illman’s Store for books and calendars, browse Wall art and panoramic images, or explore race galleries at ProStarPics.