Why Pierre Gasly might think about 'misbehaving' in Brazil

It is likely that Gasly is hugely looking forward to his move to Alpine. Next winter, he will leave the Red Bull programme to join the factory team, hoping to compete for podium spots at every Grand Prix. The ambitions are high. Gasly wants to show he once was too early sacrificed by Red Bull Racing.

Watch out

Unfortunately, there is one fact that may make Gasly reluctant to start next season: his cartload of penalty points. He now has 10. Two more points on his licence and Gasly will be banned from a Grand Prix. The Frenchman has to survive nine races without a two-point offence. And a penalty point can be picked up in an instant. Just look at the Frenchman's list:

Spain - Two points
Expires: 22 May 2023

Cause: collision with Stroll in Turn 1.

Austria - Two points
Expires: 10 July 2023

Reason: collision with Vettel in turn 4.

Austria - One point
Expires: 10 July 2023

Reason: leaving the track multiple times without justifiable reason.

Japan - Two points
Expires: 9 October 2023

Cause: speeding under red flag

United States - Two points
Expires: 23 October 2023

Reason: drove more than 10 car lengths behind his predecessor during the Safety Car period.

Mexico - One point
Expires: 30 October 2023

Reason: leaving the track and gaining an advantage.

From zero

Once a driver has served his suspension, then all penalty points expire. In short, you start again with a clean slate. Ideal if you want to start a new chapter in your career, in this case at Alpine. So if he could drive a little too fast through the pit lane at Interlagos and cuts some corners in the race. If two points are added, then Gasly will be suspended for Abu Dhabi, and no longer has to worry about non-functioning brakes and can thus start from scratch at Alpine!