Verstappen Faces Scrutiny After Canadian Grand Prix Weekend as Race Ban Threat Looms

Montreal, June 15, 2025 – Max Verstappen’s Canadian Grand Prix weekend was marked by intense scrutiny, both on and off the track, as the Red Bull Racing star battled not only his rivals but also mounting pressure over his penalty points situation.

Verstappen started the race on the front row alongside pole-sitter George Russell, reigniting memories of their controversial clash at the Spanish Grand Prix two weeks prior. In that incident, Verstappen was penalized with a 10-second penalty and three penalty points, edging him to 11 points on his super license—just one shy of triggering an automatic one-race ban. Throughout the weekend, questions about the potential ban dominated media discussions, prompting a visibly frustrated Verstappen to label the topic “childish” and “annoying” during press conferences.

On-track, Verstappen and Russell managed to avoid further controversy during the race, with Russell leading from start to finish and Verstappen securing a strong second place. However, the spotlight remained on Verstappen’s conduct, especially after previous incidents involving aggressive moves and clashes with rivals, including Russell and Lando Norris. Notably, Verstappen defended his style, insisting he would not change his approach despite the looming threat of suspension.

Off-track, Verstappen was involved in a heated exchange with Sky F1 reporters and pundits, expressing irritation over repeated questions about his penalty points and potential ban. He also took a swipe at the media environment, stating, “It’s really annoying this world that we live in,” and refused to elaborate further on the issue.

Despite the controversies, Verstappen expressed satisfaction with his performance in Montreal, noting, “We maximised everything here in Montreal, got some good points.” He also took a moment to congratulate retiring driver Kimi Räikkönen, a gesture that resonated with fans.

As the Formula 1 circus moves to Austria, Verstappen faces the challenge of racing cleanly to avoid a race ban, with two penalty points set to expire after the Austrian Grand Prix. With the championship lead at stake, all eyes remain on the Dutchman’s ability to balance his aggressive racing style with the need to stay out of further trouble.