Max Verstappen Edges Closer to Race Ban After Spanish GP Penalty

Max Verstappen’s Spanish Grand Prix ended in controversy and escalating consequences, with the FIA stewards imposing additional penalties following a late-race collision with Mercedes’ George Russell.

Already hit with a 10-second time penalty during the race, Verstappen has now been handed three further penalty points on his FIA Super Licence, putting him on the brink of a race ban.

The incident occurred during a chaotic final stint of the Grand Prix, which saw several cars on divergent tyre strategies. A late Safety Car reshuffled the pack, with Verstappen restarting on hard tyres while rivals around him – including Charles Leclerc and George Russell – opted for the faster soft compound.

Leclerc overtook Verstappen at Turn 1, and Russell attempted to follow through, only for Verstappen to go off track at Turn 1 and rejoin ahead of the Mercedes driver.

Although the stewards later confirmed Verstappen would not have been penalized for gaining an advantage by leaving the track, Red Bull instructed their driver to concede the position to avoid any potential post-race sanctions.

Verstappen, clearly unhappy with the directive, appeared to make a half-hearted attempt to comply at Turn 5. However, as Russell went to pass on the inside, Verstappen moved across, resulting in contact between the two cars.

Though Verstappen ultimately yielded the position at Turn 12, the stewards ruled that he was at fault for the collision and handed him a 10-second time penalty. That demoted the reigning four-time World Champion from P4 to P10 in the final classification, a significant loss in both points and momentum in the 2025 title race.

The post-race disciplinary action didn’t end there. The stewards further reviewed the incident and added three penalty points to Verstappen’s Super Licence. This takes his total to 11 points within a rolling 12-month period — just one shy of the 12-point threshold that triggers an automatic one-race ban under FIA regulations.

It’s a rare and potentially pivotal moment for the Dutch driver, who has generally kept his penalty tally in check despite his aggressive racing style. With 11 points now on his licence, even a minor infraction in upcoming races could sideline him for a Grand Prix — a massive development in a season where he’s once again battling at the sharp end of the championship.

The incident also raises questions about Red Bull’s internal communication and decision-making under pressure. Verstappen’s reluctance to comply with team orders may hint at rising tensions, especially as the competition tightens with Ferrari and Mercedes showing improved pace.

As Formula 1 heads to the Austrian Grand Prix, all eyes will be on Verstappen. With no room for error, the reigning champion must now drive with caution — a trait not typically associated with his relentless on-track approach.