Max Verstappen, the newly-crowned four-time world champion, risks facing a ban next year if he accumulates four more penalty points on his super license following his involvement in a crash during Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Verstappen, attempting an aggressive manoeuvre to overtake McLaren’s Oscar Piastri on the first turn, collided with Piastri’s car, causing both to spin. Although they recovered and rejoined the race, Verstappen received a 10-second penalty and two penalty points, bringing his total to eight over the past 12 months. He will be banned automatically if he reaches 12 points within a year.
Verstappen, who finished sixth in the race, must now navigate the first 11 races of the next season without incurring further penalties. “Honestly, I don’t want to talk about it,” Verstappen stated, expressing relief that the season had ended. He emphasized his priority was to apologize to Piastri, acknowledging the incident’s impact, especially since Piastri is a friend. “Because I had nothing to gain, nothing to lose. I went for it. It didn’t work out. And especially also for him, that we both spun. It’s not nice. He’s a friend of mine so I don’t want to have any weird feelings or whatever going into the break.”
Verstappen has also been embroiled in a bitter verbal dispute with Mercedes’ George Russell since last weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix, with the pair exchanging insults after a qualifying clash. Reflecting on these tensions, Verstappen remarked, “I don’t understand anything anymore, but it’s fine, whatever. I’m not going to get angry about stuff like that.” He mentioned looking forward to a break and jokingly added, “maybe I go to 12 when the baby is born, so it’s paternity leave,” referring to his anticipation of his first child with Kelly Piquet, daughter of three-time champion Nelson Piquet.
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