Max Verstappen's Precarious Position

Max Verstappen, the Red Bull racing sensation, is on the verge of a one-race ban as he heads into the Canadian Grand Prix. With 11 penalty points on his FIA superlicence, just one more infringement could sideline him, costing valuable championship points.

The Incident in Spain

Verstappen's clash with George Russell in the closing laps of the Spanish Grand Prix resulted in a 10-second time penalty and three additional penalty points. This incident, which Verstappen later admitted "wasn't right" and "shouldn't have happened," has left him perilously close to the 12-point threshold that triggers an automatic race suspension.

The Road Ahead

Verstappen must navigate the next two races— the Canadian Grand Prix and Red Bull's home race in Austria— with extreme caution. Two of his penalty points will expire on June 30, potentially moving him three points away from a race ban in time for the British Grand Prix.

Historical Precedents

This rule has previously forced drivers to sit out races. Kevin Magnussen missed last year's Azerbaijan Grand Prix after accumulating 12 points, with Oliver Bearman stepping in as his replacement.

Types of Offenses

Penalty points are awarded based on the severity and circumstances of each incident. Here are the types of offenses that could push Verstappen over the edge:

Causing a Collision

This is the most common indiscretion leading to penalty points. Verstappen's controversial move into Russell in Spain was deemed worthy of the most extreme punishment available to the stewards— three points.

Forcing Another Driver Off the Track

Verstappen has a history of flaunting the rulebook in this area. His clash with Lando Norris at the Mexico City Grand Prix last year earned him two separate 10-second penalties and penalty points.

Leaving the Track and Gaining an Advantage

Although this usually results in a 10-second penalty with zero points, Kevin Magnussen received three points for this offense at the 2023 Miami Grand Prix, ultimately leading to his ban.

Infringements Under Yellows or Red Flags

Speeding under yellow or red flags can result in penalty points. Lando Norris still has three points on his license for this offense at last year's Qatar GP.

Driving Unnecessarily Slowly

Verstappen incurred one of his 12 penalty points for driving unnecessarily slowly during qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix, impeding Russell and sparking a feud.

The Pressure on Red Bull

The Red Bull team will be holding their collective breath as Verstappen races in close quarters with other drivers. Any minor infraction could push him over the edge, resulting in a race ban and a significant blow to his championship aspirations.