F1 News: Max Verstappen aggressively reacts to race ban
I won’t change my style”: Max Verstappen’s defiant response to penalty threat as a big storm brews over penalty points – Max Verstappen, the reigning king of Formula One, is under increasing scrutiny as his penalty point tally creeps dangerously close to the limit. The Dutchman now has eight penalty points on his record. Just three more and he could face an automatic one-race suspension – a rare and severe consequence for a driver of his stature.
But Verstappen is unfazed. In a recent interview with Swiss newspaper Blick, the 27-year-old Red Bull driver shrugged off the concerns with characteristic confidence.
Well, we could talk for hours about some of the penalties and the points,” Verstappen said, shrugging off the situation. “But that’s not why I’m going to change my driving style.”
This bold stance underlines the mindset of a four-time world champion who has consistently prioritised aggressive, high-stakes driving. But with the new F1 season just around the corner, Verstappen’s approach could have unintended consequences.
The risk of a race ban
Verstappen’s penalty points won’t be deducted from his record until 30 June, leaving him little margin for error in the first half of the 2025 season. Formula One’s penalty system is designed to encourage safe driving by penalising reckless behaviour, but Verstappen has often walked a fine line between daring and recklessness
The latest addition to his penalty tally came during the season finale in Abu Dhabi. There, Verstappen collided with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in a controversial incident at the start of the race. Reflecting on the moment, Verstappen admitted his mistake.
“I had no problem apologising then,” he admitted, although it did little to allay concerns about his willingness to tone down his aggressive driving style.
For Verstappen, his approach isn’t up for debate. “I know myself when I’ve gone too far,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to the same high-risk, high-reward racing strategy that has propelled him to the top of the sport.
