Max Verstappen has moved away from a potential Formula 1 race ban, having navigated the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend without picking up penalty points.
Verstappen’s clash with George Russell in Spain moved him one penalty point away from a one-race ban, with points expiring 12 months after they are incurred.
But having avoided picking up another since that round, Verstappen has had the two that he collected at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in 2024 removed.
Now the reigning champion sits at six penalty points, avoiding the race ban for now, and will have another one wiped after next weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Verstappen keenly avoided penalties last weekend in Mexico despite being caught up in multiple incidents early in the race.
In the opening stages, the Dutchman cut the opening corners but maintained his track position.
Russell called out the lack of penalties, but Verstappen avoided one regardless. Equally, the reigning champion avoided any action for his clash with Lewis Hamilton on Lap 6.
The drop in penalty points allows Verstappen to avoid holding himself back as he closes in on his championship rivals. The gap has come down to just 36 points after Mexico.
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