Trouble at Belgian GP: Max Verstappen Just THREE Bans Away from…read more
Trouble at Belgian GP: Max Verstappen Just THREE Bans Away from…read more
As the high-stakes drama of the Formula 1 season continues, all eyes are now on Spa-Francorchamps — not just for the racing, but for a growing disciplinary concern surrounding reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
Heading into the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, Verstappen finds himself on the brink of a major setback. The Dutchman currently has 9 penalty points on his FIA Super Licence — just three away from the 12-point threshold that would trigger an automatic one-race ban.
The penalty points, accumulated over the past 12 months for various on-track incidents, have now left Red Bull’s star driver walking a fine line. Any further infractions during the coming races — even seemingly minor ones like blocking in qualifying or exceeding track limits — could see Verstappen forced to sit out a Grand Prix, potentially shaking up the championship battle.
This situation comes at a critical time for Red Bull, who are already facing mounting pressure from resurgent rivals like McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes. A race ban for Verstappen would not only impact his title defense but could also shift the momentum of the season dramatically.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has downplayed concerns, stating the team is “fully aware of the situation” and that Verstappen will be “measured and calculated” in his approach. However, insiders suggest that the pressure is quietly growing behind the scenes.
With Spa’s notoriously tricky conditions and unpredictable weather, one wrong move could turn Verstappen’s penalty problem from a warning to a reality — and with it, possibly the most significant twist of the 2025 title race so far.
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