Max Verstappen Consider Quitting F1 if Faced with FIA Race B… read more
Reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen is reportedly on the brink of a potential race ban, and it could have dramatic consequences for both his career and Red Bull’s championship aspirations. Following the Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen received three penalty points on his super license, placing him just one point away from an automatic one-race suspension. While two of those points are set to expire on June 30, Verstappen must first navigate the Canadian and Austrian Grands Prix without further infractions.
This tightrope walk has caught the attention of former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who believes that if Verstappen were to be handed a suspension by the FIA, the repercussions could go beyond just missing a race. In a recent episode of the MontoyAS podcast, Montoya stated that Verstappen might respond to a race ban by walking away from the sport entirely.
“I think if Max gets a suspension, he’ll say, ‘I’ll leave and I won’t come back,’” Montoya remarked. He stressed that sidelining a top-tier talent like Verstappen, even for one weekend, risks damaging the integrity and excitement of the championship. Montoya questioned the FIA’s consistency and foresight in rule enforcement, criticizing their tendency to only address flaws when problems arise.
With the championship race heating up and teams like McLaren making significant gains in the constructors’ standings, Red Bull can ill afford to lose their leading driver at such a critical juncture. Verstappen has been central to the team’s dominance in recent seasons, and even a single missed race could derail their title campaign. The pressure is especially high given that Verstappen is chasing a fifth consecutive world championship, a feat that would tie him with F1 legends.
Montoya’s criticism extended to the FIA’s broader approach to governance, suggesting that the organization lacks a proactive stance in managing the sport’s regulations. “They come up with rules and then they don’t think about them anymore until something happens,” Montoya said. “Then all of a sudden, they don’t know what to do.” He also hinted at possible political fallout or race manipulation if Verstappen were to be removed from the grid, warning that the FIA could be “playing with fire.”
While the immediate focus remains on Verstappen’s performance and discipline over the next two races, Montoya’s comments have ignited speculation about the Dutch driver’s long-term future in Formula 1. If Verstappen were to receive another penalty point and face a ban, it would not only jeopardize his title defense but also raise serious questions about his continued commitment to the sport.
As the championship drama unfolds, all eyes will be on the Canadian and Austrian GPs. Should Verstappen manage to avoid further penalties until the end of June, the threat of a ban will diminish. Until then, however, the F1 world remains on edge, uncertain about what the future holds for one of its most dominant and polarizing figures.
