Max Verstappen faces F1 race ban as major FIA shift leaves Red Bull…read more
Max Verstappen is facing the possibility of a one-race ban during the 2025 Formula 1 season after his penalty point tally rose to eight following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The four-time world champion was penalized for an aggressive move on the opening lap of the race, where he attempted to dive down the inside of Oscar Piastri at the first corner. Verstappen made contact with Piastri’s car, hitting the McLaren driver’s rear left wheel and sending both cars spinning.
After a quick review, the race stewards judged Verstappen’s actions to be too reckless, awarding him a 10-second time penalty along with two penalty points. This decision was part of a broader clampdown on driving standards, with Verstappen not the only one penalized. Piastri, Valtteri Bottas, and Liam Lawson also received similar penalties for causing contact during the race. The stewards made it clear that any collision resulting from a driver’s actions would lead to a 10-second time penalty, accompanied by two penalty points. This tougher stance on driving behavior has emerged as part of a shift in the FIA’s approach since Rui Marques took over from Niels Wittich ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
For Verstappen and other drivers, the main concern is the accumulation of penalty points. According to FIA rules, if a driver collects 12 penalty points within a 12-month period, they will be handed a one-race ban. Verstappen’s tally of eight points, after his penalty in Abu Dhabi, leaves him at risk of reaching the limit, depending on his behavior in the coming races.
This new direction in race control under Marques is seen as a significant change from the previous management. The stricter enforcement of penalties aims to improve safety and prevent reckless driving on track. Verstappen, who has enjoyed a dominant run in recent seasons, could be significantly affected by this increased scrutiny on driving standards. With his high-profile position in the championship, every move he makes on track will now be closely watched, as the potential for further penalties could derail his campaign.
As the 2025 season draws closer, Verstappen will need to adjust his driving style to avoid accumulating more penalty points, especially considering how swiftly the new race stewards are handing out penalties. While Verstappen remains one of the top drivers in F1, this rule change could potentially impact his ability to continue racing at the highest level without facing a race ban.
