Max Verstappen during previews ahead of the Saudi Arabian GP. Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

Max Verstappen Nears F1 Suspension After Spanish GP Meltdown

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Samriddhi Jaiswal | Last updated Jun 1, 2025 1:43 PM ET

Max Verstappen is on the brink of an unprecedented setback after his penalty points total surged to 11, just one away from triggering a race ban under F1 regulations.

The reigning world champion received three penalty points for his late-race collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he appeared to veer into the Mercedes driver during a tense battle.

The stewards deemed the Dutchman predominantly at fault for the contact, which was described by Russell as something more suited to “simulator games and go-karting.”

This brings Verstappen’s total to 11 penalty points within a rolling 12-month period. Under FIA rules, any driver who accumulates 12 points in that timeframe faces an automatic one-race suspension, something no top-tier title contender has come close to in recent years.

With the Canadian GP just days away, the tension is sky-high. Verstappen is now under intense scrutiny, knowing that even a minor on-track infringement could see him sidelined.

The situation has ignited debate across the paddock, with drivers and experts questioning whether Verstappen’s aggressive style is crossing the line.

| Max Verstappen receives THREE PENALTY POINTS for his collision with George Russell in turn 5!

This puts him on 11 out of 12 for a race ban!#F1 #SpanishGP https://t.co/2OEZR5Na5L
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) June 1, 2025

Adding to the drama, Verstappen brushed off the incident when questioned by media post-race saying, “Does it matter? — a comment that did little to cool tensions.

As the championship battle heats up, Verstappen isn’t just fighting his rivals on track—he’s racing against the rulebook itself.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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