Max Verstappen received harsh punishment for his dubious driving at the Mexican Grand Prix, and if he continues, the Dutchman may face a race ban.
Following his altercations with Lando Norris in Mexico City, Max Verstappen is getting closer to the number of penalty points that would result in his suspension.
Last weekend’s race saw Red Bull’s star start alongside Carlos Sainz, the man on pole and eventual race winner, just ahead of McLaren’s Norris, the driver’s championship rival. Nevertheless, the conflict that had been going on for a while reached a perilous conclusion.
It was the three-time champion’s turn, a week after the Englishman was penalized for passing Verstappen off-track in Austin. The Dutchman, who was in second place, made two separate 10-second time penalties after forcing Norris well wide in an attempt to stop him.
Due to these penalties, Verstappen finished the race in sixth place, and his lead at the top of the championship was cut to 47 points with his rival runner-up. And if he continues to accrue penalty points on his super license, he may be eligible for a harsher penalty.
One can only accrue 12 points in a 12-month period or risk being banned from one race. Two of the six that Verstappen currently holds were given to him following Mexico.
The rule, which was first implemented in 2014, was broken earlier in the season by Haas driver Kevin Magnussen. Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin is the only player with more points than Verstappen, with eight.
It is important to remember that the Dutchman’s two points for removing Charles Leclerc from the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix will expire on November 19; the Brazilian Grand Prix is the only race left before then. This implies that he will probably not be banned this season, but he could still be in danger the following one.
On Lap 10, the events in Mexico City took place. The two went into Turn Four with Sainz in the lead and Verstappen and Norris fighting for second. Verstappen cut off Norris, who was flying up the outside, in a risky manner, preventing a collision and forcing the McLaren to exit the track.
Norris came out ahead of Verstappen and into Turn Eight. This time, both cars veered off, and the two were just inches away from disaster after the Red Bull driver made a risky lunge up the inside, clearly desperate to regain the position.
Soon after, Norris was heard saying, “This guy is dangerous,” over his team radio. In a minute, I will be inside the wall.
Verstappen was penalized by Stewards for both of these incidents, which eliminated him from the race and left him scrambling to regain positions and championship points against his fierce rival.
With four races remaining in the season, Verstappen and Norris’s battle at the top is sure to yield more fireworks and animosity. Verstappen lost his other two points due to his collision with Norris in Austria.
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