F1 Penalty Watch: Max Verstappen One Step from Race Ban as Tsunoda Adds to Red Bull's Gr...read more

Max Verstappen Faces Race Ban Threat as FIA Adds Pressure with New Penalty Points for Red Bull Team

Max Verstappen is skating on thin ice in the Formula 1 penalty system, with just one more point needed to trigger a race ban — a scenario that could massively impact both his season and Red Bull Racing’s championship ambitions. Currently sitting on 11 penalty points, Verstappen will need to avoid any further infractions at the Austrian Grand Prix to make it through to the British Grand Prix without sanctions. Two of his points are due to expire on June 30, giving him a narrow window to stay clean.

The Dutch driver managed to avoid trouble during the Canadian Grand Prix, a weekend where his discipline on track played a vital role in preserving his availability for upcoming races. However, the threat remains high, particularly at Austria’s Red Bull Ring — a circuit where Verstappen has previously incurred penalty points. Notably, last season he received two points at the venue for causing a collision with McLaren’s Lando Norris.

Verstappen’s aggressive driving style, while often a cornerstone of his dominance — including 65 race wins and four consecutive world titles — also puts him at frequent risk of disciplinary action. A race ban, if enforced, would be a significant blow to his pursuit of a fifth world championship, especially with rivals like Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris gaining momentum.

Complicating matters further for Red Bull, teammate Yuki Tsunoda has now added his name to the list of drivers accumulating penalty points. The Japanese driver received two penalty points and a 10-place grid drop after overtaking Oscar Piastri under red-flag conditions during the final practice session in Canada. The FIA deemed the breach serious, which dropped Tsunoda to 18th on the grid and pushed his Super Licence point total to two.

Tsunoda’s infraction adds to growing concerns within the Red Bull camp, as both drivers now carry penalty points and must tread carefully to avoid additional sanctions. Red Bull will be watching closely in Austria, hoping to keep both cars on the track — and off the stewards’ radar.

What Are F1 Penalty Points?

F1 drivers accrue penalty points for rule infractions such as collisions, unsafe driving, or ignoring race flags. If a driver accumulates 12 penalty points within a 12-month period, they are handed an automatic one-race ban. The system is designed to discourage repeat offenses and improve safety on track. Penalty points expire exactly one year after they are awarded.

Currently, 13 drivers on the grid have at least one active penalty point, with Verstappen leading the list at 11 points — uncomfortably close to the threshold.

Active Penalty Points (as of Canadian GP weekend):

| Driver | Team | Penalty Points |

| —————– | ———— | ————– |

| Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 11 |

| Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 6 |

| Jack Doohan | Alpine | 4 |

| Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 4 |

| Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber | 4 |

| Ollie Bearman | Haas | 4 |

| Lando Norris | McLaren | 3 |

| Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 3 |

| Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull | 2 |

| Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 2 |

| Carlos Sainz | Williams | 2 |

| Alex Albon | Williams | 2 |

| George Russell | Mercedes | 1 |

| Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 0 |

| Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 0 |

| Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 0 |

| Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 0 |

| Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 0 |

| Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber | 0 |

| Esteban Ocon | Haas | 0 |

What’s Next for Verstappen?

Verstappen’s immediate priority will be staying incident-free during the Austrian Grand Prix. Should he cross the line into another infraction, he would miss the British Grand Prix — one of the most prestigious races of the year and a crucial battleground in the championship fight.

With both his driving style and competitive instincts pushing him to the limit, Verstappen now faces a unique challenge: show restraint on the track without compromising performance. His championship hopes — and Red Bull’s dominance — may depend on it.