Max Verstappen: Suspension in Sight?

The 2025 Spanish Grand Prix has left Max Verstappen on the brink of competitive obsolescence. With 11 penalty points on his superlicense, the three-time world champion faces the imminent threat of an automatic suspension . Is his aggressive style compromising his legacy? Or is he a victim of increasingly strict FIA scrutiny?

At Montmeló, a conservative strategy from Red Bull Racing forced Verstappen to use hard tyres , sacrificing on-track performance. After the Safety Car restarted, slight contact with Leclerc led to a more controversial collision: a collision at Turn 4 with George Russell . The stewards were quick to issue him a 10-second penalty and three points on his superlicense , leaving him off the podium and dropping him to tenth place.

This penalty brings his total to 11 points in 12 months , just one short of the 12-point threshold that carries an automatic race ban. It's the most critical point Verstappen has faced since his F1 debut.

Verstappen's situation isn't the result of a single mistake, but rather a cumulative pattern. Since mid-2024, the Dutchman has been penalized multiple times for incidents that some analysts say reflect a tendency toward reckless driving .

Verstappen's main superlicense penalties: Date Incident Points Expire 2024 Austrian GP Collision with Lando Norris 2 30 Jun 2025 2024 Mexican GP Forcing Norris off track 2 27 Oct 2025 2024 Sao Paulo Sprint Slow speed under VSC 1 1 Nov 2025 2024 Qatar Qualifying Unnecessarily slow driving 1 1 Dec 2025 2024 Abu Dhabi GP Collision with Oscar Piastri 2 8 Dec 2025 2025 Spanish GP Collision with George Russell 3 1 Jun 2026

These figures show that the champion has failed to adapt his aggressiveness to the tightening of the FIA's disciplinary criteria.

The reactions to the collision with Russell were immediate. The Briton accused Verstappen of acting "headless" and of being "unable to accept pressure." Although Verstappen apologized internally to Red Bull, the sporting and reputational damage had already been done.

Leclerc , for his part, downplayed his clash with Max, saying it was "racing stuff." But the difference in reaction between the drivers reveals how Verstappen's public image is being shaped by his recent record.

Furthermore, Red Bull's strategy at Montmeló has been heavily criticized. Many fans point out that the tire choice hurt Verstappen from the start. In this context, the Dutchman appears to be both a victim of team errors and responsible for his actions on the track .

The Verstappen case follows that of Kevin Magnussen , who was suspended in 2024 after receiving 12 points. This confirms that the system is no longer a mere "deterrent," but a real instrument of control over driver behavior.

This change in approach by the FIA ​​could force Verstappen—and the rest of the field—to moderate his driving style . Otherwise, they risk losing races and vital championship points.

Verstappen has reached a point where any minor incident can mean a devastating penalty. The pressure is double: he needs performance to stay in the title fight, but he must avoid any contact or infraction.

The fragility of this position could lead to more errors or more cautious driving, which would affect his signature style and Red Bull's competitiveness. This constant tension also tests the team's ability to protect its star driver , both in strategy and communication.

Max Verstappen has built a career based on talent, aggression, and ambition. But now, that same aggression has him on the verge of suspension. While he hasn't yet crossed the line, the margin for error has been reduced to zero.

The points system is redefining what it means to be competitive in modern F1. If Verstappen wants to remain a force to be reckoned with, he'll need to recalibrate his approach . Otherwise, he could lose not just a race, but the championship.

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