Max Verstappen faces F1 race ban as major FIA shift leaves Red Bull ace sweating…More
Max Verstappen faces F1 race ban as major FIA shift leaves Red Bull ace sweating.
Max Verstappen faces the risk of a one-race suspension in the 2025 Formula 1 season after his penalty point tally rose to eight during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The four-time world champion earned two additional penalty points for causing a first-lap collision with Oscar Piastri.
Attempting a bold move at Turn One, Verstappen clipped Piastri’s McLaren, sending both cars into a spin.
The incident resulted in a 10-second time penalty and two penalty points for Verstappen.
Stewards were strict throughout the race, penalizing Piastri, Valtteri Bottas, and Liam Lawson for similar incidents.
This strict enforcement reflects a tougher stance adopted by race control under new director Rui Marques, who replaced Niels Wittich before the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Drivers can now expect a 10-second penalty and two penalty points for causing collisions.
Under FIA regulations, drivers who accumulate 12 penalty points within 12 months receive a one-race ban.
Verstappen’s eight points leave him dangerously close to this threshold. The Dutchman is not alone, as Fernando Alonso also enters 2025 with eight penalty points.
Other drivers, like Lance Stroll, Nico Hulkenberg, and Piastri, have four points each, providing them more breathing room.
Kevin Magnussen is the only driver to have served a race ban under these rules, missing the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix due to multiple infractions.
Verstappen’s situation highlights the increased scrutiny on driver conduct.
After the race, Verstappen expressed frustration over inconsistent stewarding, citing discrepancies in penalties during qualifying and the race.
“I know what happened wasn’t good at Turn One,” Verstappen admitted to Sky Sports F1. “But there needs to be more consistency. Some decisions are questionable.”
Despite his criticism, Verstappen said he’s looking forward to the offseason.
The stewards’ crackdown has raised concerns among drivers as the grid heads into the 2025 season.
Verstappen and Alonso remain under pressure to avoid further infractions or risk facing the harsh consequences of a one-race suspension.
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