Max Verstappen’s recent collision with George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix has put the Red Bull driver on the edge of a race ban, with his penalty points nearing the dangerous 12-point threshold. Verstappen admitted that the incident was avoidable, stating that “it shouldn’t have happened,” as Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, urged his lead driver to avoid further mistakes in the upcoming races.
Penalty Points Accumulation
Verstappen’s collision with Russell in the closing stages of the Spanish Grand Prix resulted in him picking up three penalty points, bringing his total to 11 points—just one away from an automatic race ban. These points accumulate over a rolling 12-month period, and none will be removed until the end of June. With both the Canadian Grand Prix and the Austrian Grand Prix still to come, Verstappen must remain cautious to avoid further penalties.
Details of the Spanish GP Incident
The incident occurred after a Safety Car period, which was triggered by Kimi Antonelli’s car being stranded in a gravel trap due to a power unit issue. Verstappen, on hard tires, found himself at a disadvantage compared to drivers on softer tires, including Russell. After a restart, Verstappen lost a place to Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari but continued to battle for position. Russell, attempting a dive down the inside into Turn 1, made contact with Verstappen, forcing the Dutch driver off the track. Verstappen was ordered to give the place back to Russell, but another incident occurred when he re-entered the track, resulting in Verstappen being blamed for the collision and receiving a 10-second time penalty and three penalty points on his license.
Verstappen’s Reaction
Post-race, Verstappen took to Instagram to express his frustration, admitting that his move following the Safety Car restart was wrong. He wrote, “We had an exciting strategy and good race in Barcelona, until the Safety Car came out. Our tyre choice at the end and some moves after the restart fuelled my frustration, leading to a move that was not right and shouldn’t have happened. I always give everything out there for the team and emotions can run high. You win some together, you lose some together. See you in Montreal.”
Red Bull’s Strategy Moving Forward
With Verstappen now on the brink of a race ban, Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, has urged the driver to avoid further mistakes. Horner acknowledged that losing Verstappen for a race would be a huge blow for the team but remains hopeful that the driver can stay within the boundaries of the penalty system. “You can never guarantee anything,” said Horner. “He’s just got to keep his nose clean in the next couple of races. Then the first points come off at the end of June.”
Potential Consequences and Alternatives
If Verstappen were to reach the 12-point threshold and be handed a race ban, Red Bull would have options. They could promote one of their Racing Bulls drivers, Liam Lawson or Isack Hadjar, or turn to their pool of talent, which includes Ayumu Iwasa and Arvid Lindblad. Verstappen is set to drop two penalty points at the end of June, following a collision with Lando Norris during last year’s Austrian Grand Prix, which would temporarily ease the situation.
Looking Ahead to Montreal
With the Canadian Grand Prix just around the corner, Verstappen is under pressure to avoid further incidents and ensure he remains in contention for the championship. The Red Bull driver, known for his aggressive driving style, now faces the challenge of staying disciplined to keep his title hopes alive and avoid jeopardizing his participation in upcoming races.
