Max Verstappen’s risk of a race ban has eased with three penalty points being removed from his record before the Brazilian Grand Prix. His total penalty points now stand at a more comfortable six, while his competitor Oliver Bearman also received some leniency as they approach the final four races of the season.
Both Verstappen and Bearman had clean performances at the Mexican Grand Prix, securing third and fourth positions respectively. Bearman achieved his career-best result, narrowly missing out on a podium finish.
Following the race, both drivers received positive news as the FIA adjusted their penalty points in adherence to sporting regulations. Verstappen had previously accrued two points for an incident with Lando Norris in Mexico and another for a virtual safety car infraction in Brazil, which have now been expunged from his record.
Bearman, on the other hand, had been on the verge of a race ban, being just two penalty points away since his collision with Carlos Sainz at the Italian Grand Prix. His total points have now been reduced to eight after two points were rescinded for an incident with Franco Colapinto in Brazil last year.
Furthermore, Bearman received a 10-second time penalty for exceeding track limits during his battle with Kimi Antonelli in Austin, but fortunately, this penalty did not result in additional points on his FIA super license.
In addition to Verstappen and Bearman, other drivers also saw adjustments to their penalty point tallies this weekend. Championship contender Oscar Piastri had two points removed from his license due to an incident with Liam Lawson at last year’s Sao Paulo race.
The alleviation of penalty points will provide some relief to both Verstappen and Piastri as they approach the crucial stages of the championship battle. Both drivers are chasing Norris, who took a one-point lead in the Drivers’ Championship after his dominant victory in Mexico City.
Among the title contenders, Piastri is under the most pressure. The Australian has struggled to keep up with his rivals in the past five rounds, losing a significant 34-point lead at a concerning rate.
Verstappen understands the necessity of flawless performances to secure a fifth consecutive title. Acknowledging the challenge ahead, he emphasized the need for winning consistently to maintain championship hopes.