Miami GP || May 5 || 16h00 (Local time)
3 May 2024
Teams vote to introduce ’demerit points’ penalty system
But not in-season track testing
F1 team bosses have voted to introduce a penalty points system for 2014 that could see drivers banned for repeat offenses.
Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, and Speed Week, said that during a meeting with Charlie Whiting on Wednesday, the scheme - with drivers allowed to accrue only 12 ’demerit points’ against their super licenses before a race ban is imposed - survived a vote by 7 to 4.
The proposal will now be taken to the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council for approval next month.
The new system would not completely replace the current regime comprising fines, grid penalties and warnings, but stewards will also be able to impose points penalties for on-track infractions.
As the vote demonstrated, not everyone is supportive.
"What happens if Vettel has 12 points before the German grand prix, or Alonso before Spain — are they going to ban them in their home race?" an unnamed and sceptical team boss told German correspondent Michael Schmidt.
Reportedly, drivers will earn penalty points for pitlane speeding, causing a collision and dangerous driving, driving over the pit exit white line, ignoring flag signals, and many other infractions.
At the same Barcelona meeting, team bosses voted down Ferrari’s proposal to bring back extensive in-season track testing, although some teams were in favour.
| Infraction | Points |
|---|---|
| Race ban | 5 |
| Exceeded the speed limit (at any time) by more than 20kph | 3 |
| Caused a dangerous collision | 3 |
| Ignored the black flag | 3 |
| Exceeded the speed limit (at any time) by 10-20kph | 2 |
| Caused a collision | 2 |
| Dangerously impeded another driver | 2 |
| Dangerously forced another driver off the track | 2 |
| Drove too quickly in a yellow or red flag situation | 2 |
| Ignored the blue flag | 2 |
| False start | 2 |
| Overtook the Safety Car | 2 |
| Exceeded the Safety Car delta time | 2 |
| Dangerous exit from a pit stop | 2 |
| Ignored the weigh station during qualifying | 2 |
| Missed the drivers’ briefing or arrived late | 1 |
| Exceeded the speed limit (at any time) by up to 10kph | 1 |
| Impeded another driver | 1 |
| Forced another driver off the track | 1 |
| Gained an advantage by leaving the track | 1 |
| Crossed the white line at the pit lane exit | 1 |
| Ignored the red light at the pit lane exit | 1 |
| Overtook another car under the Safety Car | 1 |
| Failed to maintain correct distance to the Safety Car | 1 |
