Which F1 driver holds the record for the most time penalties incurred in a Formula 1 race?

Know all about which F1 driver holds the record for most penalties received during a F1 race.

Which F1 driver holds the record for the most time penalties incurred in a Formula 1 race?

Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso

Drivers receiving penalties is a normal occurrence that takes place in almost every Formula 1 Grand Prix. There are various reasons why drivers are handed these penalties. Mostly, they are handed due to the driver of the team not following a particular set of rules and instructions. While some penalties are handed out in the form of fines, others are handed out in the form of added time to the driver’s race.

Back during the 2021 F1 season, Max Verstappen was fined $50,000 dollars for touching the rear wing of his Mercedes competitor. However, these types of penalties are only given when an incident takes place pre-race or post-race. During a normal Grand Prix, a simple fine won’t prove to be a disadvantage for the driver due to them being unaffected on track. However, a time penalty can do wonders to their results on track.

For example, if a driver makes an error causing another driver to crash, the former might be subjected to a 10 seconds stop and go penalty where he would stop in the pits for 10 seconds and then leave causing him a disadvantage of more than 30 seconds on average. For small incidents or rule violations, 5 seconds time penalties are handed out to F1 drivers. There are a few drivers who have gotten a record number of penalties during a Formula 1 race.

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Esteban Ocon 2023 Bahrain GP: 3 time penalties

Esteban Ocon's 2023 Helmet
Esteban Ocon’s 2023 Helmet

Alpine F1 driver Esteban Ocon had some terrible luck during the first race of the 2023 season. Before the lights went out, the Frenchman lined up his car ahead of his grid spot which led to the driver incurring one time penalty. He further went on to receive another time penalty for not serving his first penalty right. It was later found out that Ocon passed the speed limit while entering the pits.

He had entered the pits in order to serve his penalty which led to the Frenchman serving yet another time penalty. While it was a hilarious moment for the audience, it was a frustrating day on track for Ocon. However, this meant that he had matched the record for incurring the most time penalties during an F1 Grand Prix. There is only one other F1 driver who can match the record of the Alpine driver.

Pastor Maldonado 2015 Hungarian GP: 3 time penalties

Pastor Maldonado
Pastor Maldonado

Pastor Maldonado is known for his weird but wild performances at the pinnacle of motorsport. Way before Esteban Ocon could match the record, Maldonado went on to race in the 2015 Hungarian GP where he ended up getting 3 time penalties and thus setting a record. This record stood for about 8 years until it was broken by Ocon in the first race of the 2023 F1 season.

Time penalties are handed out by race control who monitor each and every driver along with their data. When they see that a driver had violated a rule, an immediate investigation is carried out and they are further given a time penalty if they are guilty and depending on the severity of the incident. While time penalties are frustrating for the drivers receiving them, they come as a massive advantage to those racing behind them. It can either make or break a race.