Max Verstappen is walking a tightrope as he heads into the Canadian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver is just one penalty point away from an automatic one-race ban, which could significantly impact his championship aspirations.

The Incident in Spain

Verstappen's clash with George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix has put him in a precarious position. The stewards handed him a 10-second time penalty and three penalty points on his FIA superlicence, bringing his total to 11 over a rolling 12-month period. This leaves him one point short of the 12-point threshold that triggers a race suspension.

The Consequences

If Verstappen incurs one more penalty point at the Canadian Grand Prix or the Austrian Grand Prix, he will be forced to sit out a race. This rule has previously affected drivers like Kevin Magnussen, who missed the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last year after accumulating 12 points.

Types of Offenses

Verstappen must be cautious of several types of offenses that could lead to additional penalty points:

• Causing a Collision: This is the most common indiscretion that can lead to penalty points. Verstappen's incident with Russell in Spain was categorized under this.
• Forcing Another Driver Off the Track: Verstappen has a history of pushing the limits in this area, as seen in his clash with Lando Norris at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
• Leaving the Track and Gaining an Advantage: While this usually results in a 10-second penalty without points, repeated offenses can lead to penalty points.
• Infringements Under Yellows or Red Flags: Speeding or overtaking under these conditions can result in penalties.
• Driving Unnecessarily Slowly: Verstappen has already been penalized for this during qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix.

The Road Ahead

With two of his penalty points set to expire on June 30, Verstappen will have some breathing room by the time of the British Grand Prix. However, the next two races are crucial. The Red Bull team will be on edge every time Verstappen is in close quarters with another car.

Conclusion

Max Verstappen's aggressive driving style has made him one of the most exciting drivers in Formula 1, but it also puts him at risk of a race ban. The next two weekends will be a test of his discipline and ability to navigate the fine line between bold racing and costly mistakes.