Max Verstappen faces mounting frustration over penalty points, highlighting F1’s contentious rules as suspension risks loom over his 2024 season.
As Max Verstappen edges dangerously close to a race suspension, Helmut Marko calls for the “let them race” mentality to return to F1.
Under the terms of their FIA super license, an F1 driver faces a one-race ban if they reach the dreaded total of 12 penalty points, as Kevin Magnussen experienced in 2024, becoming the first driver to serve such a sanction after being forced to sit out the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The Red Bull advisor was asked about Verstappen, who currently holds 8 penalty points at least until next June.
Should he improve his driving and choose his battles more carefully?
“Penalty points are a whole story, but as far as I can recall, there was only one real incident in Austria, and I think it was a hard-fought battle,” Marko said.
“As everyone said at the time, ‘let them race.’”
“That was one incident, and the other happened during the last race in Abu Dhabi. He made a very good start. [Carlos] Sainz didn’t have a good start, so that allowed him to take the chance. I think Piastri wasn’t looking to the side, he was looking ahead. It’s a first-turn racing incident; it can happen.”
“But otherwise, Max is Max, and that’s part of his charisma, his personality. If he sees an opportunity, he takes it. He’s a tough, uncompromising driver; that’s also part of his image, and I don’t think he needs to change.”
“So, the penalty points he received in 2024 irritate him. Max has his own opinions and expresses them too. If he were at risk of a suspension, he would not hesitate to voice his views loudly and clearly.”
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Max Verstappen Near Suspension, Questions FIA Penalty System Max Verstappen Near Suspension, Questions FIA Penalty System
