Senior Red bull’s figure Helmut Marko sends stark warning to Max Verstappen after…read more
Helmut Marko, a senior figure at Red Bull Racing, has issued a warning to Max Verstappen ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season, urging him to exercise more caution after accumulating penalty points during the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Verstappen, a dominant force in F1, received two penalty points for an incident on the opening lap of the race when he collided with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, causing the Australian to spin. Verstappen’s total penalty points have now reached eight, just four short of the 12-point threshold that would trigger a race ban.
The increased penalties come as F1 enforces stricter rules under new race director Rui Marques, focusing on avoidable contact during wheel-to-wheel racing. Verstappen, along with other drivers, has found himself under scrutiny as penalties have been handed out more quickly and harshly than in the past. In the same Abu Dhabi race, Piastri also received a penalty for similar contact with Franco Colapinto, reflecting a broader trend of tougher stewarding, which has affected several drivers.
Marko highlighted the growing concern about Verstappen’s penalty points, noting that the driver must be careful moving forward to avoid exceeding the 12-point limit. He emphasized that both Verstappen and the team would need to adopt a more measured approach in the 2025 season to avoid costly mistakes. “We need to start being careful,” Marko said, indicating that Verstappen’s racing style would need to be adjusted in response to the stricter penalties.
The Red Bull advisor also pointed out issues with the consistency of stewarding in F1, mentioning that penalties can vary significantly depending on the race stewards. This inconsistency has raised concerns among drivers and teams, calling for a more uniform and transparent application of penalties.
For Verstappen, a race ban could severely impact his quest to defend his four World Championships, as his performance in every race will be crucial for both his title hopes and Red Bull’s pursuit of the Constructors’ Championship. With rising competition from teams like McLaren and Ferrari, Red Bull needs Verstappen in every race to maintain their dominant position. As the 2025 season approaches, Verstappen will need to balance his aggressive driving with the pressure to avoid penalties that could derail his title defense and team’s success.
