With seven races completed, Formula 1 drivers have collected just a single penalty point this year - with Franco Colapinto receiving one for failing to slow sufficiently under yellow flags during the Barcelona race. There have still been no penalty points issued for incidents arising from battles on track.
This is the result of revised FIA guidelines introduced ahead of the season, giving stewards much greater flexibility in deciding whether - and how many - penalty points to award. While the recommendations for sporting penalties remain largely unchanged, the section covering penalty points has been significantly revised. In many cases, stewards can now decide how many points, if any, to issue for an infringement - particularly when it comes to collisions.
