Max Verstappen is dangerously close to receiving a one-race ban in Formula 1, with only a single event remaining before two of his penalty points expire on June 30. The Red Bull driver must avoid accruing any further penalty points at the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix to prevent a suspension that would sideline him for the British Grand Prix. Verstappen’s precarious position comes as his teammate Yuki Tsunoda also amassed two penalty points during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, adding pressure on the Red Bull team.
With the focus keyword
“Max Verstappen on verge of F1 race ban,”
this article details the ongoing situation around Verstappen’s penalty points and the wider context of driver sanctions across the current F1 season.
Current Penalty Points Situation Among F1 Drivers
After the Canadian Grand Prix, Verstappen’s tally stands at 11 penalty points, just one point shy of the 12-point threshold that triggers an automatic one-race ban. If he receives even a single penalty point at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, Verstappen will be forced to miss the British Grand Prix, a significant setback given his championship ambitions.
Yuki Tsunoda of Red Bull also incurred two penalty points for overtaking Oscar Piastri under red-flag conditions during the third practice session in Canada. Tsunoda’s actions resulted in a 10-place grid penalty, dropping him to 18th place for the race weekend, compounded by additional penalties to other drivers. The FIA race stewards viewed the infringement as serious, increasing Tsunoda’s risk in accumulating enough points for a suspension.
In total, 13 drivers currently have at least one penalty point on their Super Licence. Penalty points last for twelve months before expiring, and a driver who reaches twelve points within that timeframe is barred from racing for one event.
Summary of penalty points among notable drivers:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 11 points
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 6 points
- Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 4 points
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 4 points
- Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) – 4 points
- Ollie Bearman (Haas) – 4 points
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 3 points
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 3 points
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 2 points
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 2 points
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 2 points
- Alex Albon (Williams) – 2 points
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 1 point
Assessing the Imminence of Verstappen’s Potential Ban
Though Verstappen’s threat of suspension remains serious, his clean weekend in Canada has temporarily lessened the immediate danger. His next chance to add to his penalty tally will be at the Austrian Grand Prix, held at the Red Bull Ring, the site of a previous incident where he earned two penalty points last season for a collision with Lando Norris that ended the Brit’s race. Verstappen’s reputation for aggressive, borderline racing style has served him well, translating into 65 Grand Prix wins and four consecutive world championships.
The Dutch driver’s 10-second penalty at the Spanish Grand Prix significantly hindered his chances of securing a fifth straight world title. A race ban, however, would be far more damaging, as it would eliminate the possibility of scoring points for at least one event. Should rivals like Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris capitalize with top finishes while Verstappen is absent, his championship lead could diminish drastically.
Wider Implications for Red Bull and the Championship
Yuki Tsunoda’s recent penalties escalate concerns for the Red Bull team, as two drivers now face mounting pressure from accumulating penalty points. This situation puts the team in a delicate position, threatening its performance stability and championship goals. Verstappen’s potential suspension could also shift the balance of power among title contenders and influence the outcome of the season’s remaining races.
The FIA race stewards continue to enforce strict discipline to uphold safety and fairness, as seen in the consequences handed down after the Canadian Grand Prix. Stewards’ decisions not only affect individual driver standings but also the wider dynamics between teams.
Next Steps for Verstappen and the F1 Season Outlook
Max Verstappen must display caution and avoid further infractions at the Austrian GP to stay in the championship hunt without interruption. The Red Bull driver’s approach at this critical juncture will be scrutinized intensely, as a penalty-point accumulation leading to a forced race absence could derail his title defenses. Meanwhile, the season continues to grow more competitive, with several drivers close to penalties and suspensions, raising the stakes on every weekend moving forward.
