What does Max Verstappen have to do to receive F1 ban? Penalty point system explained

What does Max Verstappen have to do to receive F1 ban? Penalty point system explained Newspoint | 03/06/2025 22:39:13

Four-time world champion 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 star, 27, was given three penalty points on Sunday after he seemed to with George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.

Verstappen was penalised with a 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 drivers facing a suspension if they rack up 12 penalty points on their licence within a 12-month period.

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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.

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.

"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 "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.