Breaking: Fast to Punish? F1 Faces Dilemma as Verstappen Nea…read more
Max Verstappen is just one penalty point away from a Formula 1 race ban. With F1’s growing focus on entertainment, will the sport really sideline its biggest star — or bend the rules to keep the show alive?
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Second placed Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Third placed George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team with Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula One Group in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 16, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202503160114 // Usage for editorial use only //
Is Max Verstappen ‘Too Big to Ban’ in F1’s Era of Showbiz?
Since Formula 1 introduced the penalty points system in 2014, drivers have lived under the threat of a one-race ban if they hit 12 points within 12 months. It took ten years before anyone crossed that line—Kevin Magnussen did it in 2023. Now, Max Verstappen finds himself just one point away from the same fate.
Verstappen earned three penalty points at the Spanish Grand Prix after a controversial collision with George Russell. He had already been sitting on eight points, which means he’s now at 11—just one short of an automatic race ban. Like Magnussen, most of Verstappen’s points stem from incidents involving contact with other drivers.
Verstappen’s Tally So Far:
- Austrian GP: Collision with Lando Norris – 2 points
- Mexican GP: Forced Norris off track – 2 points
- Brazilian Sprint: Exceeded VSC delta – 1 point
- Qatar Qualifying: Drove unnecessarily slowly – 1 point
- Abu Dhabi GP: Hit Oscar Piastri – 2 points
- Spanish GP: Collided with Russell – 3 points
Despite the looming threat, Verstappen could see two points drop off his licence at the end of this month. But even then, he would still be dangerously close to a ban, carrying nine points into at least eight more races, including marquee events like the United States Grand Prix.
The question now arises—will Formula 1 actually ban Verstappen if he crosses the line?
Under Liberty Media’s ownership and Stefano Domenicali’s leadership, F1 has increasingly leaned into entertainment. Bonus points for sprint races, frequent rule tweaks, and spectacle-driven decisions have drawn criticism. Some fans and analysts believe that F1 may not be willing to risk sidelining its biggest star, especially not at Red Bull’s home race in Austria.
This isn’t just about Verstappen. In the past, suspicions of F1’s selective discipline have surfaced. Pierre Gasly narrowly avoided a ban in 2023 despite accumulating 10 points in 2022 and facing several incidents thereafter. At the 2023 Australian Grand Prix, he collided with his teammate, but stewards treated it as a “first lap incident,” sparing him from further penalties.
So, while Magnussen’s ban debunked the idea that drivers are immune from consequences, the stakes are different when a superstar like Verstappen is involved. Magnussen isn’t a title contender or a crowd magnet. Verstappen is both—and his absence would be a seismic moment for the sport.
The bigger issue is whether F1 would adjust or stretch its rules to keep its stars on track. History suggests it might. There’s even precedent: Lewis Hamilton once had penalty points rescinded without being cleared of an infraction. That move raised eyebrows, and a similar outcome for Verstappen would no doubt stir fresh controversy.
Verstappen’s driving will now be watched more closely than ever. But so, too, will the stewards’ responses. If Verstappen picks up even one more point, the world will be watching to see if the rules are applied equally—or if star power really does offer immunity in modern Formula 1.
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