Max Verstappen is approaching a one-race ban after accumulating 11 penalty points, placing him dangerously close to the FIA’s limit ahead of the next Formula 1 race in Austria. With two of his penalty points set to expire at the end of June, Verstappen needs to avoid further infractions, or he faces missing the upcoming British Grand Prix. His recent clean record during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend slightly eased the threat but did not eliminate it.

Meanwhile, Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda also added two penalty points after receiving a significant grid penalty in Canada, raising further concerns for the team’s overall penalty situation. The accumulation of points across multiple drivers signals increasing pressure on Red Bull to manage their drivers’ conduct on track carefully.

Incident Details Behind Red Bull Drivers’ Penalty Points

Tsunoda was penalized with a 10-place grid drop after he overtook Oscar Piastri during a red-flag period in the third practice session at the Canadian Grand Prix. The FIA stewards judged this maneuver to be serious enough to award Tsunoda two penalty points on his Super Licence. This disciplinary action highlights the strict control from race officials regarding conduct under red-flag conditions.

Verstappen’s points stem from previous racing incidents, including a collision with Lando Norris at the Austrian Grand Prix last season that earned him two penalty points. Verstappen’s aggressive driving style, which has helped him secure 65 race wins and four consecutive world championships, also makes him vulnerable to earning such penalties under FIA regulations.

Current Penalty Point Standings in Formula 1

The FIA lists 13 active drivers with penalty points, each facing the risk of suspension if they reach 12 points within a 12-month rolling period. Verstappen leads the tally with 11 points, narrowly missing a ban by one point. Other drivers with points include Liam Lawson with six, Jack Doohan and Oscar Piastri with four each, and several others carrying one to three points on their licences.

Penalty points expire after one year, giving drivers a timeframe to improve their record. Yet, the pressure remains high for those near the limit, especially Verstappen, who must maintain clean racing in Austria to stay eligible for the British race.

The Implications of a Potential Race Ban for Verstappen and Red Bull

A suspension for Verstappen would deal a severe blow to his bid for a fifth consecutive world drivers’ championship. Missing a race would effectively hand rivals such as Piastri and Norris a vital opportunity to gain ground in the standings, potentially destabilizing Verstappen’s championship lead. His recent 10-second time penalty in Spain has already made his title pursuit more difficult, and a ban would escalate these challenges dramatically.

Given Verstappen’s history of pushing racing limits, avoiding penalties ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix is crucial. The outcome will significantly affect not only Verstappen but Red Bull’s season prospects, as teammate Tsunoda’s accumulating points also threaten the team’s overall vulnerability to penalties.