Max Verstappen penalised at Spanish GP, one penalty point from race ban

Max Verstappen was penalised at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix for causing a collision with George Russell, receiving a 10-second time penalty and three penalty points on his superlicence.
The incident occurred late in the race after a safety car restart, where Verstappen, visibly frustrated, collided with Russell as the Mercedes driver attempted to overtake.
Verstappen's penalty dropped him from fifth to 10th place in the final classification. This penalty brought his total penalty points to 11, just one point shy of the 12-point threshold that triggers an automatic one-race ban under Formula 1 regulations.
Race stewards acted swiftly, deeming Verstappen entirely at fault for the collision. The 10-second penalty was applied immediately, significantly impacting his race result.
Despite the controversy behind him, Oscar Piastri secured a commanding victory for McLaren, extending his championship lead over teammate Lando Norris.
Verstappen's aggressive move and subsequent penalty have intensified scrutiny on his conduct, with former world champion Nico Rosberg calling for a black flag.
The penalty points system in F1 is designed to deter dangerous driving, and Verstappen's current standing places him under severe risk of suspension if further infractions occur.
This incident marks a pivotal moment in Verstappen's 2025 campaign, potentially affecting his title challenge and reputation.
Quotes from the event include George Russell stating, 'He just crashed into me,' highlighting the contentious nature of the collision.
The stewards' decision and Verstappen's penalty underscore the high stakes and strict regulatory environment in Formula 1 racing.

Max Verstappen received a 10-second penalty and three penalty points at the Spanish Grand Prix for causing a collision with George Russell, dropping him to 10th place. With 11 penalty points on his superlicence, Verstappen is now just one point away from a race ban under F1 rules.