DO PENALTY POINTS STILL SERVE ANY PURPOSE IN F1?

F1 stewards are taking a significantly more lenient stance on superlicence penalty points this season, raising questions about the system's purpose. Despite several incidents warranting sporting penalties, zero penalty points have been issued in 2026, a stark contrast to previous years. Drivers like Esteban Ocon and Oscar Piastri received 10-second penalties for collisions without any points added to their license.

Most notably, Isack Hadjar incurred a 10-second stop-and-go penalty for failing to reduce speed under double yellow flags – one of the harshest sporting sanctions available – yet still avoided penalty points. This shift stems from winter discussions where drivers reportedly pushed for points to be reserved only for deliberate or reckless behavior. FIA guidelines have since been updated, explicitly stating that a maximum guideline can mean zero points. This new approach risks undermining the system designed to punish serious offenses and discourage repeat behavior, potentially emboldening aggressive driving as the championship heats up.