Red Bull confirmed for Max Verstappen ban as Daniel Ricciardo

Red Bull confirmed for Max Verstappen ban as Daniel Ricciardo ve… read more

Red Bull Racing is currently facing a potential crisis as its star driver, Max Verstappen, edges dangerously close to a one-race suspension. The reigning Formula 1 world champion finds himself under intense scrutiny following an incident at the recent Spanish Grand Prix, where he was penalized for an aggressive move on Mercedes driver George Russell. Race stewards determined that Verstappen’s actions were deliberate, handing him a 10-second time penalty as well as issuing three penalty points to his FIA super licence.

This situation has escalated concerns within the Red Bull camp, as Verstappen now carries a total of 11 penalty points accumulated over the past 12 months. The FIA mandates that any driver who reaches 12 penalty points within a rolling 12-month period will automatically receive a one-race ban. This leaves Verstappen teetering on the edge, with only one more infraction needed to trigger an enforced absence from a Grand Prix. Such a scenario would be highly disruptive for Red Bull, especially in the midst of a tight championship battle.

To prepare for the worst-case outcome, Red Bull is believed to have already developed a contingency plan. Should Verstappen receive an additional penalty point before some of his older ones expire—specifically by the end of June—the team will need a replacement driver ready to step in. Daniel Ricciardo, currently driving for Red Bull’s sister team, Visa Cash App RB (formerly AlphaTauri), is thought to be the most likely candidate. Ricciardo has a longstanding relationship with the team and is familiar with their operations, making him a practical and experienced substitute if Verstappen becomes unavailable.

The timeline is particularly crucial, as some of Verstappen’s earlier penalty points are set to expire on June 30. Until that date, he must compete in both the Canadian Grand Prix and the Austrian Grand Prix without incurring any further disciplinary actions from the stewards. If he manages to maintain a clean record through these two races, his points total will drop, and the threat of a suspension will ease considerably. However, if he is involved in another on-track incident that results in even a single penalty point, the consequences would be severe.

In light of this precarious situation, both Verstappen and Red Bull are expected to proceed with caution in the upcoming races. The team will likely prioritize avoiding risky maneuvers that could attract the attention of race officials. For now, the focus is on ensuring that Verstappen remains eligible to race, as a suspension could significantly affect Red Bull’s performance in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.