Max Verstappen Faces Possible Ban and Could Miss B…read more
Max Verstappen is facing increasing scrutiny and the very real possibility of missing the upcoming British Grand Prix at Silverstone, as a looming race ban threatens to derail his season. The Dutch driver, known for his aggressive and daring driving style, recently found himself in hot water following a controversial incident at the Spanish Grand Prix. During the race, Verstappen appeared to intentionally drive into Mercedes’ George Russell, which resulted in a 10-second time penalty and, more crucially, three penalty points being added to his FIA superlicence.
These three points have brought his total tally to 11 within a 12-month period, just one shy of the 12-point threshold that automatically triggers a one-race ban. The earliest any of his current penalty points will expire is June 30. This means that Verstappen must navigate the next two races—the Canadian and Austrian Grands Prix—without incurring any further infractions. Should he pick up just one more penalty point before the end of June, Verstappen would be forced to sit out the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in early July.
The situation has sparked widespread debate in the F1 community. Former Formula One driver and Dutch Grand Prix sporting director Jan Lammers has weighed in on the matter, suggesting that Verstappen himself might not be overly disappointed if he had to miss the British GP. Speaking to Ziggo Sport’s Race Café, Lammers noted the often frosty relationship between Verstappen and the British fanbase. “We have the British Grand Prix soon,” Lammers said. “Well, then it would be theatre again if Max goes there. So if he has to miss a race, then I think he would like to miss Silverstone.”
Silverstone has never been a particularly dominant track for Verstappen, who has only won there once in his career. The British crowd is also known for its passionate support of local drivers, including Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, as well as McLaren’s rising stars Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. The tensions between Verstappen and the British press and fans have often been palpable, especially following the infamous 2021 clash with Hamilton at the same circuit.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko also commented on the incident in Spain, calling Verstappen’s move on Russell a “misjudgment,” an unusually critical stance from someone typically known to defend the Dutchman. The criticism from both British media and within his own camp underscores the gravity of the situation. Verstappen has always walked a fine line with his aggressive racing style, a trait that has served him well in achieving four world titles and 65 Grand Prix victories. However, that same style may now jeopardize his pursuit of a fifth championship.
The timing could not be worse. After the penalty in Spain, Verstappen now trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by 49 points. A race ban—especially during a crucial event like the British GP—could be a devastating blow to his title hopes. If Piastri and teammate Lando Norris continue to finish on the podium, Verstappen’s absence would give McLaren a major advantage in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
With two races standing between him and a potential suspension, Verstappen must tread carefully. Avoiding penalty points in Canada and Austria is essential if he wants to stay in the fight for the 2025 title. Given his natural instinct to race on the limit, the next few weeks may prove to be the most disciplined—and consequential—of his career.
