Max Verstappen won’t change his driving style despite F1 suspension threat
Although he is closing in on a possible suspension from Formula 1, Max Verstappen has declared that he has no intention of changing his approach on the track.
Max Verstappen states that he will not change his driving style against his F1 rivals, despite the imminent possibility of a suspension in 2025.
Accumulating 12 penalty points within 12 months automatically results in a race ban, as was the case last year for Kevin Magnussen, former Haas driver, who had to miss the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen on probation
Four-time world champion, Max Verstappen currently has eight points on his FIA Super License, just four fewer than the threshold that triggers a suspension.
The Red Bull driver will have to navigate carefully through the first 11 rounds of the 2025 season before two penalty points expire on June 30th. However, Max Verstappen has made it clear that he will not alter his style or approach on track.
“I will not change my driving style because of that,” said Max Verstappen to the Swiss media Blick. “I know when I go too far. Like during the final in Abu Dhabi, when I attacked Piastri at the start. I had no problem apologizing to him after the race.”
He added: « If you stimulate my ambition, things can catch fire. We could discuss some penalties and points for hours. Now, like Alonso, I already have eight penalty points. But I am not going to change my way of driving. »
Red Bull on its guard
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has admitted that Max Verstappen will have to be careful to avoid a suspension in the coming months.
« He gained two more points and is now at eight, we must be vigilant », Helmut Marko told Sky Deutschland after the season-ending Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi.
« Some commissioners impose more severe penalties, but it is a problem that concerns everyone. Better consistency would be beneficial. »
Max Verstappen’s penalty points
Austrian GP 2024 (2 points) Reason: Collision with Lando Norris
Mexico GP 2024 (2 points) Reason: Forcing Lando Norris off track
São Paulo GP 2024 (1 point) Reason: Breach of VSC regulations
Qatar GP 2024 (1 point) Reason: Unnecessarily slow driving in qualifying, hindering George Russell
Abu Dhabi GP 2024 (2 points) Reason: Collision with Oscar Piastri
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin driver, also has eight penalty points on his Super Licence.
