Formula 1 drivers at risk of race ban in 2023

Several Formula 1 drivers are on the verge of being hit with a race ban before a wheel is even turned.

The 2022 Formula 1 season may have finished, but many drivers will still carry over penalty points accrued over the course of the campaign into 2023.

Drivers can accrue penalty points for indiscretions over a given race weekend which are kept on their Super Licence for a 12-month period.

If a driver reaches 12 penalty points within the 12-month period, they will receive an automatic one-race ban.

Pierre Gasly and Lance Stroll are the two most likely to be affected due to a simple FIA rule. The trio are getting close to the FIA’s 12 penalty point threshold which if passed will result in a one-race ban.

More on this topic:

Verstappen climbs from 17th to win Brazil GP under the rain

Gasly is the driver most at risk of a race ban, with the Frenchman currently sitting on ten penalty points.

He is not due to lose any points until May 22, after the 2023 season’s first seven Grands Prix – or six if the Chinese Grand Prix is not replaced.

Stroll is on eight points.

However, big guns Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are safe from punishment unless they have a disastrous start to the campaign.

F1 pre-season testing will take place on February 23-25 in Bahrain before the season begins at the same track with the Bahrain GP on March 5.