Verstappen Nears F1 Suspension After ‘Mario Kart’–Style Mayhem

Max Verstappen is on the edge of being suspended after another contentious on-track incident involving the four-time defending Formula One drivers’ champion.

The Red Bull Racing star finished 10th at the Spanish Grand Prix after receiving a 10-second penalty for his role in a collision with Mercedes driver George Russell in the closing stretch of Sunday’s race. 

Verstappen was also assessed three penalty points, taking him to 11 over the past 12 months, which is one away from receiving an automatic one-race suspension. Two of those existing penalty points expire on June 30, which means Verstappen must avoid receiving any more during the Canadian and Austrian Grand Prix this month.

The financial impact of a suspension would be complicated. Verstappen, who is reported to receive an annual salary between $55 million and $65 million, would not necessarily miss a “race paycheck,” since every driver’s contract can be different. He would miss out on the opportunity to earn season-long points, though, which would worsen his chances at performance-based season-ending prize money.

Rapid Reaction

Russell, who finished fourth, said his perspective was that he “got crashed into,” which he felt was “deliberate” from Verstappen. “That’s how Max goes racing,” Russell said.

McLaren driver Lando Norris, who finished second, appeared to take Russell’s side in reacting to the incident: “I’ve done that before, in Mario Kart, “ he said. 

As for Verstappen’s reaction to it all? “I’ll bring some tissues next time,” he said.

Verstappen remains in third place in the drivers standings, just ahead of Russell (fourth), but behind Norris (second) and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri (first). Red Bull is fourth in the team standings.