During the recent Spanish Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was awarded three penalty points for – intentionally or unintentionally – making contact with George Russell in turn five. This brings the Dutchman’s total penalty points to eleven. If he accumulates twelve penalty points, the FIA is obliged to suspend the Red Bull driver for one race. Fortunately for Verstappen, the points also expire over time. Below is an overview of all his penalty points – and their expiration dates.
2 Penalty Points – Austrian Grand Prix, June 30, 2024
In Spielberg, Max Verstappen had to defend himself against the attacks of title rival Lando Norris. The Brit had already made several unsuccessful attempts to overtake him in his seemingly faster McLaren. However, things went wrong in lap 64. Norris tried to overtake on the outside in turn 3, but was pushed onto the kerbs. The Brit did not give in and kept his car on the racing line. The inevitable contact resulted in punctured tires for both. Verstappen received a ten-second time penalty and two penalty points on his racing license. He eventually finished fifth.
2 Penalty Points – Mexican Grand Prix, October 27, 2024
In lap 9, Carlos Sainz took the lead from Verstappen, who once again had to defend himself against Lando Norris. The McLaren driver chose the outside line in turn 4, but was forced off the track by his Dutch rival. Norris cut the corner and rejoined behind Sainz and Verstappen. However, the latter pushed him over the white line again. The stewards ruled that Verstappen had crossed the line in both cases. He received two ten-second time penalties and again two penalty points on his license. He eventually finished sixth.
1 Penalty Point – Brazilian Grand Prix, November 2, 2024
In the closing stages of the sprint race in Brazil, Verstappen tried to overtake Oscar Piastri. The Australian was in second place at the time. Behind the virtual safety car, the Dutchman waited for the green signal, but he proved to be a little too impatient. Verstappen accelerated 0.63 seconds too early and received a five-second time penalty, as well as one penalty point on his racing license. He eventually finished fourth.
Penalty Point – Qatar Grand Prix, November 30, 2024
During the qualifying round, Charles Leclerc made a minor error. He secured the pole position in Qatar with an impressive lap. However, in an attempt to create a gap to the cars ahead, he braked heavily. In doing so, he remained on the racing line, hindering his Mercedes rival, George Russell. The Brit had to swerve and nearly lost control of his W15. The stewards judged that Leclerc had driven ‘unnecessarily slowly’ and gave him a one-place grid penalty and one penalty point on his license. Consequently, Russell inherited the pole position.
Two Penalty Points – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, December 8, 2024
Charles Leclerc started the season finale in Abu Dhabi from the fourth position. In the first corner, he tried to overtake Oscar Piastri but hit the right rear wheel of the McLaren. Both cars spun. While Leclerc fell back to the eleventh place, Piastri had to resume his race from the back. “Truly a move of a world champion,” the Australian sneered over the radio. The stewards were equally unimpressed and gave Leclerc a ten-second time penalty and two penalty points on his license. He eventually finished sixth.
Three Penalty Points – Spanish Grand Prix, June 1, 2025
After a late safety car, Leclerc lost his podium position to Charles Leclerc. He then immediately got into a battle with George Russell. On the hard tires, the Dutchman had significantly less grip than his British opponent. In the first corner, this led to a collision, with Leclerc going off the track but managing to maintain his position. However, his team instructed him to give the place back to Russell — a move that turned out to be unnecessary in hindsight. Reluctantly, Leclerc complied, but not before he had touched Russell in turn 5 — whether intentionally or unintentionally. He received a ten-second time penalty and three penalty points on his racing license. He eventually finished tenth.
