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Max Verstappen speaks out on F1 suspension threat with two drivers at risk

Max Verstappen has no intention of altering his aggressive racing style in 2025, despite being just four penalty points away from a one-race suspension, which could severely impact his chances of securing a fifth consecutive World Championship. Heading into the 2025 season, Verstappen and Fernando Alonso from Aston Martin both have accumulated eight penalty points each, with the suspension threshold set at 12. This leaves Verstappen walking a fine line, as none of his penalty points will be cleared until the end of June, putting him in a vulnerable position during the early part of the season.

Despite the looming risk of suspension, Verstappen remains resolute in his approach to racing. He has faced similar challenges before, having accumulated nine or 10 penalty points in previous seasons. “No, but I’ve been there before,” Verstappen said at the F1 75 event. “I think I’ve been on nine or 10 before, so it’s all about just managing the situation.” The Red Bull driver made it clear that he will continue to race with the same intensity and mindset, undeterred by the potential disciplinary consequences.

Last season, Verstappen attracted several significant penalties, most notably during his fierce battle for the top spot in the Drivers’ Championship standings. He received two 10-second penalties for controversial moves against Lando Norris in the Mexico City Grand Prix and another penalty for colliding with Oscar Piastri, causing the latter to spin during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. These penalties contributed to Verstappen’s growing penalty point tally, but he is determined to maintain his competitive edge, despite the possibility of further sanctions.

However, it’s not just Verstappen who is facing stricter disciplinary measures. The FIA has made it clear that avoidable contact will result in penalties, with stewards issuing 10-second penalties for nearly all such incidents during the Abu Dhabi race. This is likely to be a standard procedure moving forward, meaning drivers must be increasingly cautious to avoid accumulating penalty points that could jeopardize their race participation.

Esteban Ocon, a driver for Haas, also discussed the impact of these harsher penalties, acknowledging the need to stay out of trouble while racing. “You need to obviously keep it in mind, but you always need to keep in mind [that you should] stay away from trouble,” Ocon explained. “You know that if you do something, you are going to get called to the stewards, which is quite clear. And it is something that you need to stay out of at every single point because first, it is stressful, second you could get a grid drop or something else – a fine or whatever, which is not good for the team, and we don’t want any of this, of course.”

Despite the increased focus on penalties, Ocon noted that he had largely avoided being called to the stewards in the previous season, and he hopes to maintain that clean record moving into the new year.

For Verstappen, missing a race due to suspension would be a significant setback, especially as he pursues his fifth consecutive title. With Ferrari and McLaren both appearing to have gained an edge over Red Bull heading into the season, Verstappen faces fierce competition. All four drivers from these teams – Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri – are considered strong contenders for the title, making Verstappen’s quest for another championship even more c

hallenging.