Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has sounded a clear warning to Max Verstappen following the Dutchman’s latest run-in with the stewards at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. With eight penalty points on his FIA Super License, Verstappen is now perilously close to a race ban, needing just four more points before the end of June 2025 to trigger the suspension.
“A Risky Position for the Reigning Champion”
The reigning four-time world champion received two additional penalty points for a collision with Oscar Piastri at the start of the Abu Dhabi race, alongside a 10-second time penalty. Verstappen finished sixth in the season finale, but his penalty points tally is now dangerously high.
Under FIA regulations, a driver who accrues 12 penalty points within a 12-month rolling period must serve a one-race suspension. Verstappen’s current total means he must tread carefully through the first 11 rounds of the 2025 season, as two points will drop off his record on June 30, 2025, after the Austrian Grand Prix.
“Verstappen’s Heated Reaction: ‘Stupid Idiots!'”
Verstappen’s fiery temperament was on full display after the stewards handed him the time penalty in Abu Dhabi. Venting his frustration over team radio, he remarked:
“Can we ask for 20 seconds? Stupid idiots!”
While such outbursts have become a hallmark of Verstappen’s passionate racing style, Marko acknowledged that they can carry consequences:
“That wasn’t very diplomatic. At that moment, you don’t think very diplomatically; it’s emotions. But maybe you shouldn’t broadcast everything.”
Marko also compared F1’s transparency to other sports, suggesting that not every comment made during high-pressure moments needs to be publicized:
“In football, not everyone has a microphone around their neck. I don’t want to know what kind of comments are being made there.”
“Marko’s Caution: A Ban Looms Large”
Speaking to Sky Deutschland, Marko emphasized the severity of Verstappen’s situation:
“He got two points again and is now on eight; we have to be careful. Certain stewards give more severe punishments. It’s a problem everyone has, and more consistency would be better.”
With Verstappen aiming to retain his title in 2025, a ban could be disastrous for Red Bull’s campaign. Marko’s remarks highlight the importance of both cleaner racing and more restrained public reactions from the Dutch star.
“History in the Making—for the Wrong Reasons?”
If Verstappen reaches 12 points before June 30, he would become the first reigning champion in F1 history to serve a race ban. This is a record Verstappen, known for breaking records on the track, will likely want to avoid.
“A Light-Hearted Escape Plan”
Despite the high stakes, Verstappen showed his trademark humor when discussing the ban risk in light of his personal life. With his partner Kelly Piquet expecting a baby, Verstappen quipped:
“Yeah, maybe I go to 12 [points] when the baby is born.”
“What’s Next for Verstappen and Red Bull?”
The 2025 season promises to be one of heightened scrutiny for Verstappen as he balances his aggressive racing style with the need for caution. With Red Bull’s dominance and Verstappen’s talent, avoiding further penalties will be crucial to staying on track—both figuratively and literally.
