Should Verstappen be worried about an F1 suspension?

14:18, 20 May
1 Comments
Following the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, the Formula 1 penalty points overview has been updated. Max Verstappen remains on thin ice: with eight penalty points to his name, the Dutchman holds the highest number of penalty points among everyone and is thereby close to a suspension.
The FIA's penalty point system is designed to discourage repeated dangerous or unsportsmanlike driving behavior. If a driver accumulates twelve penalty points within twelve months, an automatic race ban follows. Verstappen is thus at two-thirds of that limit. Although the majority of these incidents stem from the previous season, they remain active on his license for now.
For Max's fans, there is (for now) no need to panic, but a moment of inattention in a tight battle could have serious consequences. A suspension would not only hit Verstappen himself but also significantly affect the championship and the excitement in the title fight with the McLaren drivers. The first penalty points will not expire for the Dutchman until June.
Aside from Yuki Tsunoda's pit start, no further penalties were issued and no penalty points were recorded on the licenses. Both Franco Colapinto and Carlos Sainz received a fine for speeding in the pit lane during free practice sessions. Colapinto also received a one-position grid penalty for entering the fast lane too early during qualifying. Ferrari also had to pay a fine, having failed to set the tire pressure of Charles Leclerc according to regulations.
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If Max Verstappen accumulates 12 penalty points on his license, he risks being suspended for one race this season.

Penalty points of the drivers after the GP of Imola

Max Verstappen – 8 points
Liam Lawson - 6 points
Nico Hulkenberg – 4 points
Oscar Piastri – 4 points
Jack Doohan – 4 points
Esteban Ocon – 3 points
Lando Norris – 3 points
Oliver Bearman – 2 points
Lance Stroll – 2 points
Alex Albon – 2 points
Fernando Alonso – 2 points
Carlos Sainz – 2 points
Franco Colapinto - 2 points
George Russell – 1 point
Andrea Kimi Antonelli – 0 points
Gabriel Bortoleto – 0 points
Pierre Gasly – 0 points
Isack Hadjar – 0 points
Lewis Hamilton – 0 points
Charles Leclerc – 0 points
Yuki Tsunoda – 0 points