Max Verstappen’s collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix has not only dropped him from fifth to 10th place—costing him nine world championship points—but also pushed him dangerously close to a one-race suspension. The Red Bull driver received three penalty points on his F1 super licence, taking his total to 11 in the past 12 months—just one shy of the 12-point threshold that triggers an automatic ban under F1 regulations.
The next two races, in Montreal and Austria, are now critical for Verstappen, as his earliest points won’t expire until June 30. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner acknowledged the risk, urging Verstappen to “keep his nose clean” through the upcoming rounds.
F1’s penalty system, in place since 2014, applies one to three points for infractions such as causing collisions or impeding other drivers. Points stay active for one year, and Verstappen’s current tally stems from multiple incidents, including clashes with Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Russell, as well as rule breaches under Virtual Safety Car conditions and during qualifying.
If Verstappen collects another point before June 30, he will miss a race—most likely in Austria—forcing Red Bull to call up a substitute. Likely options include Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson or Isack Hadjar. This would in turn trigger a temporary driver reshuffle within the Red Bull junior setup.
Only one driver, Kevin Magnussen, has reached the 12-point limit since the system was implemented, missing the Azerbaijan GP in 2024. Red Bull now faces a tense wait, hoping Verstappen can maintain discipline until his points begin to expire.
Swifteradio.com
