Max Verstappen stripped of penalty points after George Russell incident | F1 | Sport
Max Verstappen has been given a clean slate ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix after being stripped of his penalty points. The four-time world champion has endured a torrid start to the season, having failed to win a single race. His best finish arrived at the recent Canadian Grand Prix, where he came home in third place after losing a battle for second to Lewis Hamilton.
Verstappen will be hoping to build on that display in Monaco this weekend, although Red Bull‘s lack of pace could be a problem. Qualifying is especially important around the historic street circuit, given that overtaking is so difficult during the race. As a result, the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari will be expected to challenge for pole position ahead of the chasing pack.
However, the Dutchman is arguably the best driver on the grid and will be looking to make use of his individual talent to outperform the machinery beneath him.
He will also have the benefit of a clean rap sheet, with his tally of penalty points having reverted to zero. Over the last 12 months, various infringements that moved him to within one point of an automatic race ban have expired.
Three penalty points were handed down to Verstappen after he deliberately drove into George Russell during last year’s Spanish Grand Prix, taking him to 11 within a 12-month period.
Those points, in addition to the other eight, have now expired meaning the Dutchman will head to Monaco with a squeaky clean record.
Oliver Bearman, on eight penalty points, has more than any other driver on the grid as things stand. He is closely followed by Lance Stroll and Kimi Antonelli, who are both on five.
Franco Colapinto, Charles Leclerc and Esteban Ocon each have one penalty point.
The last driver to receive an automatic race ban after reaching the threshold of 12 penalty points was Kevin Magnussen, who missed the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in 2024.
He remains the only driver to have received a one-race suspension following the introduction of the penalty points system in 2014.
