Max Verstappen has responded with a surprising sense of calm after the FIA officially confirmed the expiration of two penalty points from his superlicense, easing the looming threat of a race ban ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
The reigning four-time World Champion had been balancing on a knife’s edge in recent weeks, having accumulated 11 penalty points – just one short of the 12-point limit that triggers an automatic one-race suspension.
However, a newly published FIA document confirms that the two penalty points Verstappen received at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix expired on June 30, 2025, as per the governing body’s rule that penalty points remain valid for 12 months only. This reduction brings Verstappen down to nine active points, offering him a bit more breathing space as the season intensifies.
When asked about the development during Thursday’s press conference at Silverstone, Verstappen offered a blunt but telling reaction:
“I’m not going to celebrate dropping two points like I just won a race,” the Dutchman said. “It doesn’t change how I approach things. If anything, it just proves how ridiculous the whole points system can be sometimes.”
Verstappen also addressed the speculation surrounding his racing style, which has come under intense scrutiny after incidents in Spain and a heated exchange during a recent press conference.
“People love to create drama,” he added. “I’ve had aggressive weekends, sure, but I’ve also had clean races. It’s racing. It’s supposed to be hard. I’m not here to drive like it’s rush hour traffic.”
The FIA’s clarification means that Verstappen is no longer on the immediate brink of a ban, though with nine penalty points still active, he remains the most at-risk driver in the field. The next set of points is expected to expire in late October, meaning the Red Bull star must remain disciplined over the coming months.
With the British Grand Prix looming and tensions high in the title race, Verstappen concluded:
“The points are down, great. But I’m focused on winning again. That’s what matters most.”
Silverstone is set to deliver another critical chapter in the 2025 season – and Max Verstappen is still very much in the fight.