Christian Horner disclosed that he met with Formula 1 race officials during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend to address concerns about Max Verstappen’s threat of a race ban. The four-time world champion is one penalty point away from suspension, meaning any further infringement at the Austrian Grand Prix could force him to miss the Silverstone race.

Red Bull Racing, Verstappen’s team, is on high alert, especially given that rival drivers might employ tactics aimed at provoking penalties. Horner indicated that this issue was explicitly raised with race control to ensure they remain vigilant about potential gamesmanship.

It is inevitable that certain games are going to be played,

Horner said during the Canadian GP weekend.

So that’s something we discussed with race control after the drivers briefing. We wanted them to take that into account because it was clear that this kind of thing could happen. But Max Verstappen had a spotless weekend [in Canada] and a good race.

—Christian Horner

Why Verstappen Faces the Risk of a Race Ban

Verstappen’s proximity to a race suspension stems from an incident at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he was penalized for deliberately crashing into George Russell, resulting in three penalty points on his FIA Super Licence. This disciplinary mark brought him dangerously close to the automatic ban threshold.

At the next race in Montreal, Verstappen and Russell lined up side by side at the front of the grid but managed to avoid further collision, with Russell ultimately winning his first race of the season and Verstappen finishing second.

Despite clearing the Canadian GP weekend without incurring additional penalties, Verstappen showed frustration with repeated questions about his possible ban, criticizing the media’s approach.

I don’t need to hear it again. You were speaking about it on Thursday,

Verstappen said following qualifying.

It’s such a waste of time. It’s very childish. So, that’s why I also don’t want to say too much because it’s really annoying, this world that we live in.

—Max Verstappen

Implications of the Race Ban Situation for the Season

The issue of Verstappen’s race ban cast a shadow over the current Formula 1 season, with Red Bull closely monitoring the situation as they approach the Austrian GP. The team’s proactive engagement with race control signals their awareness of how rival drivers might attempt to manipulate the rules to hinder Verstappen’s championship campaign.

Missing a race such as Silverstone could significantly impact Verstappen’s title defense, making this a critical moment in the season. As tensions rise, how race control manages potential penalties and strategic provocations will be crucial for the championship’s unfolding narrative.