Max Verstappen hints at F1 RACE BAN after FIA punishment

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Verstappen hints at RACE BAN after FIA punishment

The Red Bull star found himself falling foul of the regulations once again in Abu Dhabi

Simmey Hannifin Donaldson Chief Editor

Sunday 8 December 2024 22:00

Max Verstappen has hinted that he may welcome more penalty points on his license at the start of next season.

The four-time world champion picked up more points this weekend, moving him closer to a one-race ban, after a chaotic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which saw several penalties handed out through the field.

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One of these drivers was Verstappen himself, hit with a 10-second time penalty for causing a collision with McLaren's Oscar Piastri into turn one at Yas Marina Circuit.

As well as the time penalty, the FIA also decided that Verstappen's move was worthy of additional penalty points, taking his current tally from six to eight.

Max Verstappen was punished by the FIA in Abu Dhabi

Verstappen crashed into Oscar Piastri at Yas Marina Circuit

Max Verstappen moves closer to race ban

And, once a driver receives 12 penalty points, they receive an automatic race ban from the FIA, just as Kevin Magnussen did earlier this year for Haas.

This means that Verstappen enters the 2025 season just four points from a potential race ban, with no points set to come off his total until the end of June, by which point 10 grands prix will have taken place.

Kevin Magnussen missed the Azerbaijan GP after hitting 12 penalty points

The four-time champion appeared relaxed over the matter when addressing the situation after the race, however, telling Erik van Haren of De Telegraaf: "Maybe I'll make sure I get to 12 points when the baby is born. Then I can go on paternity leave."

Verstappen's comment comes just days after he and partner Kelly Piquet confirmed that they are expecting their first child together.

"Mini Verstappen-Piquet on the way ❤️," the couple wrote on Instagram. "We couldn’t be happier with our little miracle 💫."

Mercedes Oscar Piastri Kevin Magnussen Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Yas Marina Circuit