Max Verstappen risks race ban after Spanish GP crash penalty points
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on May 31, 2025 in Barcelona (Getty Images)
Max Verstappen received a 10-second time penalty and three penalty points on his FIA superlicence after colliding with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Verstappen's penalty points total is now 11, just one point away from triggering a race ban.
The penalty stemmed from Verstappen's aggressive swerve into Russell's Mercedes after being instructed to cede fourth place, following an earlier incident with Charles Leclerc.
Russell felt Verstappen's move was deliberate, while Nico Rosberg argued Verstappen should have been disqualified, but Verstappen refused to comment on the incident.
Verstappen trails by 49 points in the championship standings and must avoid further penalties at the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix to prevent a ban for the Austrian Grand Prix.