Max Verstappen Laughs Off Race Ban Threat: ‘I’ve Been Here Before’

With just four penalty points to spare before a race ban, Max Verstappen enters the 2025 season under FIA scrutiny—but does he care? Not really.

Formula 1 thrives on controversy, and Max Verstappen is no stranger to stirring the pot. As the 2025 season kicks off, Verstappen finds himself in a precarious position with eight penalty points on his FIA Super Licence—just four shy of an automatic one-race ban.

While some drivers might consider treading carefully, Verstappen’s response? A casual shrug. The Dutchman, known for his aggressive racing style and zero-tolerance approach to backing down, insists his “foot-to-the-floor” mentality isn’t about to change.

“I’ve been here before,” he said, when asked about whether his driving style will change in response to his points tally. “It’s all about managing the situation.”

Ah, yes. Managing the situation. A phrase that might as well be tattooed on the forehead of every FIA steward watching him this season. But will he actually manage it, or is it just a matter of time before Verstappen finds himself sitting out a race weekend, watching from the sidelines? Let’s break it down.

For those new to the drama, the FIA Super Licence system is essentially Formula 1’s version of a demerit system. Collect 12 points within a rolling 12-month period, and a driver is handed an automatic one-race suspension.

As of now, Verstappen sits at eight points, tied with fellow F1 veteran Fernando Alonso. However, while Alonso is due to lose three points by March 24th (conveniently after the opening double-header), Verstappen will need to survive 11 Grand Prix weekends before his own penalty points begin to expire following the Austrian Grand Prix.

So how did the reigning world champion land in this mess?

• Track limits infractions (because apparently, white lines are just a suggestion)

• Causing collisions (or as Verstappen calls it, ‘hard racing’)

• Ignoring yellow flags (why slow down when you can just hope for the best?)

This isn’t unfamiliar territory for Verstappen. He’s been here before—sitting dangerously close to the limit yet somehow avoiding the actual race ban. But with more competitive teams on the grid in 2025, can he afford to be reckless?

For those who think the FIA isn’t serious about these penalty points, just ask Kevin Magnussen. In 2024, he became the first driver to breach the 12-point threshold, earning himself an enforced vacation for one race. If it happened to a midfield driver like Magnussen, Verstappen’s situation is all the more precarious given the spotlight constantly on him.

Unlike Magnussen, Verstappen isn’t battling for P7 finishes—he’s fighting for world titles. A race ban could severely damage his championship campaign, especially in what’s expected to be one of the most tightly contested seasons in years.

Let’s be honest: expecting Verstappen to suddenly become a cautious, risk-averse driver is like expecting a shark to go vegan. Not happening.

Despite being four points away from disaster, Verstappen is doubling down on his aggressive racing style. “I think I’ve been on nine or ten before,” he said dismissively. “It’s about managing the situation.”

Translation? He’ll keep pushing the limits and figure things out if the FIA comes knocking.

But here’s the catch: 2025 is shaping up to be far more competitive than recent seasons. Ferrari, McLaren, and even Mercedes have shown significant improvements, meaning Verstappen will be fighting wheel-to-wheel more often than in 2023 and 2024. More fights = more incidents. And more incidents? Well, you get the picture.

There’s another angle to consider—how far is the FIA willing to go?

A race ban for Verstappen would be monumental. Love him or hate him, Verstappen is box office. He’s the reigning champion, Red Bull’s golden boy, and the driver responsible for some of F1’s most electric moments. Would the FIA really sideline him over a handful of debatable infractions?

On one hand, consistency demands it. If Magnussen got a ban, Verstappen should be treated the same. But on the other, F1 is a business—and a Verstappen-free race would undoubtedly hurt viewership, engagement, and overall spectacle.

Let’s also not forget: the FIA has been selective in the past. Some drivers (cough Hamilton cough) have received warnings for incidents that saw others penalized. Could Verstappen’s star power influence the stewards’ decisions? Would they hesitate to pull the trigger?

If Verstappen does get hit with a race ban, who stands to gain the most?

1. Lando Norris – Currently viewed as Verstappen’s biggest challenger for the 2025 title. If Verstappen misses a race, Norris could capitalize on the points swing.

2. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari’s golden boy would happily take advantage of a Verstappen-free weekend to snatch crucial points.

3. Red Bull’s second driver – Whether it’s Sergio Perez or someone else, a Verstappen absence would shift Red Bull’s focus to their second driver, giving them a rare chance to shine.

The 2025 title fight could be razor-thin, meaning even one missed race could decide the championship.

For now, Verstappen heads into 2025 with a target on his back and a penalty points tally that leaves little room for error. His approach remains unchanged, and while that’s great for entertainment, it could come back to bite him.

The first five races will be key. If he can survive the opening rounds without adding to his tally, he’ll have breathing room. But if he picks up another four points before Austria, expect chaos.

Could Verstappen get a race ban? Absolutely. Will it be fair? That’s debatable. But one thing is certain—F1 2025 just got a lot more interesting.