P1racenews AI automatic summary:
New FIA penalty guidelines show how Max Verstappen would have been handed F1 BAN
Newly published F1 racing guidelines revealed a close call for Max Verstappen, who narrowly avoided a race ban after the Spanish Grand Prix. Verstappen received a penalty and points on his license for causing a collision with George Russell.
The incident in Barcelona could have resulted in further penalties if Russell’s race had been affected, putting Verstappen at risk of a ban. Verstappen’s total penalty points are now close to the threshold for a race ban.
The FIA released the 2025 guidelines for transparency, aiming to help stewards make consistent decisions in on-track incidents. These guidelines were updated following input from drivers and ongoing discussions with team representatives.
The move towards transparency was welcomed by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Grand Prix Drivers Association director George Russell, who emphasized the importance of clarity in the decision-making process. The guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for assessing racing incidents and maintaining fair competition in Formula 1.
