I have a theory why some get penalties and some don’t . So be before I start this is only my theory with noting to back it up.
When we race in the 3 online daily races we are match by qualifying time trails 12 or15 drivers of our peers.
The only thing not match up is the connection to server ( the ping ) the amount of green bars down to yellow. The driver with the best connection will be seen first of the penalty event , the driver with the bad connections might be seen later or not seen at all by time the next packet on information get to the server.
I know to enjoy GTS you need Good internet and connections the Qualifying time to match up drivers is for the most part good , it’s the penalty system is a problem. Maybe it’s just a timing problems the ping to server and back. That’s My theory .