What max verstappen has to do to receive f1 ban as penalty points explained

MAX VERSTAPPEN'S COLLISION WITH MERCEDES' GEORGE RUSSELL IN BARCELONA ON SUNDAY MEANS THE RED BULL STAR MUST NOW BE SPOTLESS FOR THE NEXT TWO RACES AS A SUSPENSION LOOMS 12:22, 03

Jun 2025Updated 12:22, 03 Jun 2025 Four-time world champion Max Verstappen is on the brink of a one-race suspension if he incurs a single penalty point at either the Canadian or Austrian

Grands Prix this month. The Red Bull star, 27, was given three penalty points on Sunday after he seemed to intentionally collide with Mercedes' George Russell during the Spanish Grand

Prix in Barcelona. Verstappen was penalised with a 10-second penalty for the incident in the final laps of the race, but he later received three points on his FIA super licence. This brings

his total to 11 penalty points in just the past year, with F1 drivers facing a suspension if they rack up 12 penalty points on their licence within a 12-month period. However, points do

expire 12 months after they are initially applied The first two of Verstappen's 11 points, given to him for a clash with Lando Norris in June 2024, will expire on June 30, a day after

the Austrian GP this month. However, his remaining nine points won't expire until October 27, a day following the Mexico City GP. From contentious collisions and forcing drivers off the

track, to even driving too slowly, the Dutch star has a colourful history when it comes to penalties in the sport. Penalty points are frequently given to drivers for a variety of offences,

with the severity of the incident being a significant factor. As Verstappen has discovered, causing a collision is one of the more severely punished actions. Article continues below Even

minor offences, such as overtaking during a red flag or driving too slowly in the pit lane, can result in a penalty point. Once drivers accumulate 12 points, their ban is enforced, with all

points then cleared once the suspension has been served. The FIA first implemented a penalty points system in 2014, but so far, the only driver to have been suspended for a race due to

points is ex-Haas driver Kevin Magnussen. Drivers and their teams have the right to challenge any decisions with the FIA if they believe they were unfair. This is referred to as a

'Right of Review', with the original decision being taken to a hearing. However, to be successful, a team will often need to present fresh evidence to overturn their punishment.

While it's a long shot, it has happened before. Fernando Alonso initially lost his P3 result at the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP after receiving a time penalty. After a review, his result was

reinstated. Verstappen's 10-second penalty for the incident in Barcelona dropped him from fifth to 10th in the final standings. Following the controversy, the Red Bull star took to

social media to share his perspective, retracting his post-race comments. Article continues below "Our tyre choice to the end and some moves after the safety car restart fuelled my

frustration leading to a move that was not right and shouldn't have happened," he said on Instagram. "I always give everything out there for the team and emotions can run

high. You win some together, you lose some together." The penalty has put Verstappen 49 points adrift of Oscar Piastri, who leads the drivers' standings following his fifth win

this season, just 10 points clear of team-mate Norris.