Breaking:FIA Issues Verdict on Max Verstappen’s Penalty Points due to….read more
FIA Issues Verdict on Max Verstappen’s Penalty Points due to….read more
Following the Miami Grand Prix sprint race, the FIA has confirmed that Max Verstappen will not receive any penalty
points on his Super Licence for the pit lane incident involving Kimi Antonelli. The incident occurred when Red Bull released Verstappen from his pit box prematurely, leading to contact with Antonelli. The collision damaged Verstappen’s front wing and was deemed an unsafe release, earning him a 10-second time penalty during the race. As a result, Verstappen was dropped down to 17th place in the final sprint classification.
Despite the penalty, the FIA clarified in an official post-race document that no additional penalty points would be added to Verstappen’s record. The decision was based on the fact that the driver took all possible measures to avoid the collision after the unsafe release. The stewards noted that Verstappen’s actions behind the wheel were not reckless and that the fault primarily lay with the team’s release decision.
Currently, Verstappen holds eight penalty points on his FIA Super Licence, which is the highest among any driver on the Formula 1 grid. According to the FIA’s penalty point system, a driver who accumulates 12 points within a 12-month period will be handed a one-race suspension. This system was introduced to encourage safer driving and to hold drivers accountable for repeated infractions on the track.
While Verstappen avoided gaining more points from the Miami incident, he remains dangerously close to the suspension threshold. With four more points to go before reaching the 12-point limit, he must tread carefully in the upcoming races. His current penalty points will remain on his licence until June 30, after which some will begin to expire. This date will be particularly important as the Austrian Grand Prix approaches, as it marks the start of the countdown for his earliest points to be dropped.
Meanwhile, reserve driver Liam Lawson follows Verstappen on the penalty point chart with six points. Three of Lawson’s points were accrued at the Bahrain Grand Prix due to two separate on-track incidents. This highlights how easily drivers can accumulate points if they are not cautious.
In summary, while Verstappen was penalized for the unsafe release in Miami, the FIA determined he acted responsibly during the incident and chose not to issue further penalty points. However, with eight points currently on his licence and a tight margin before facing a race ban, Verstappen will need to stay disciplined throughout the next few races to avoid
suspension.
