The reigning Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen insists he will not change his approach to racing as he looks to avoid a potential race ban in 2025.
Verstappen currently has eight points on his FIA Super Licence, tied for the most alongside Aston Martin racing driver Fernando Alonso.
The rules state that if any driver receives 12 points on his licence within a rolling 12-month period, a race ban will be handed out for the next Grand Prix the driver participates in.
The Dutchman acquired six of his eight points for clashes with the McLaren drivers Lando Norris, twice, and Oscar Piastri.
Verstappen collided with Norris in Austria and forced him off the track in Mexico, whilst also tangling with Piastri in the Abu Dhabi finale.
The first of his points to expire will be after the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, which means he will have to navigate 11 rounds before his total of eight is reduced to six.
In 2024, Kevin Magnussen was the first driver in the current penalty points era to have accumulated enough points to trigger a one-race ban.
If the Red Bull driver wishes not to become the second, he will have to avoid gaining just four points on his Super Licence before Austria.
However, when asked if his penalty points tally will affect his racing approach in 2025, Verstappen maintained he has been in this position before and that he would not change the way he races.
“No, but I’ve been there before,” Verstappen told media including Motorsport Week.
“I think I’ve been on nine or 10 [previously], so it’s all about just managing the situation.”
Verstappen: Close 2025 F1 title fight is ‘good for the sport’
Heading into the 2025 F1 season, Norris and Verstappen have been tipped as the favourites to claim the Drivers’ Championship.
The 27-year-old is aiming to become a five-time World Champion in the upcoming campaign, but he claims he pays no attention to the betting markets at all.
“I mean, first of all, I don’t like betting, but it’s fine,” he replied.
“We just have to focus on ourselves, like there’s no point to look at others.
“We know that we have things to work on with the car, and that’s what we are doing.”
Challenging the 2024 title rivals will be the likes of Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, as well as Piastri and George Russell of Mercedes.
With the top four teams expected to be close together in terms of performance, Verstappen says he is excited about the prospect of a four-way battle this year.
“I think it’s good for the sport,” he added.
“That’s also, I think, why the rules were set like that.
“So I do hope that it’s exciting and that we get a lot of different winners – teams, as well.
“That would be great for the sport.”
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