Three drivers at risk of F1 race ban in 2023 but Lewis Hamilton safe

Three drivers are on the verge of being hit with a race ban before a wheel is even turned. Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll and Alexander Albon are the three most likely to be affected due to a simple FIA rule.

Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll and Alexander Albon are the three 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.

Unlike many other sanctions, the points do not reset at the end of the campaign but stay on a record for 12 months. However, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are safe from punishment unless they have a disastrous start to the campaign.

Gasly is under the most threat with the Frenchman carrying over 10 points.

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He was also penalised for colliding with Lance Stroll in Spain and gaining an advantage in a battle with Aston Martin star in Mexico. The Canadian is himself in trouble with eight penalty points on his record until 9 April.

It means the 24-year-old has to contest the first three races in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Australia while on the brink. Albon has seven points but his tally will be reset after just two races on 27 March.

Daniel Ricciardo is also under threat with eight points to his name until after the race in Jeddah. However, the Australian is not likely to meet the limit as he is off the grid in a full-time capacity in 2023.

But, the rule could be a blow to Red Bull if the 33-year-old needs to stand-in for Verstappen or Sergio Perez early on in the season. Verstappen has just two points to his record while Hamilton is just one of three drivers to have picked up no infringements.