Stewards in Formula 1 have issued no penalty points on drivers' superlicences during the first part of the 2026 season. This marks a clear shift from previous years when points accompanied sporting penalties more frequently. The change follows discussions between the FIA and drivers over the winter.
Races in Australia, China and Japan produced few or no penalties. Canada saw more interventions, including two 10-second penalties for Isack Hadjar of Red Bull. One was for multiple changes of direction against Charles Leclerc and the other for failing to slow sufficiently under double yellow flags. Neither carried penalty points. Similar outcomes applied to Oscar Piastri and Esteban Ocon earlier in the year.
