Max Verstappen could face ban next year for collecting excessive fines

Newly-crowned four-time world champion Max Verstappen could face a ban next year if he collects four more penalty points on his super license after his crash at Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 27-year-old Dutchman attempted to pass Maclaren's Oscar Piastri at Turn One on the opening lap of the race won by Maclaren's Lando Norris, but crashed into his rival's car, sending them both spinning. Verstappen recovered to join both races before being given a 10-second penalty and two points on his licence, taking his tally to eight in the last 12 months. If he reaches 12 within a year, he will be automatically banned. For Verstappen, who finished sixth on Sunday as McLaren clinched the constructors' title thanks to Norris' success, it means he will have to avoid penalties in the opening 11 races of next season.

“To be honest, I don't want to talk about it,” Verstappen said. “I'm just glad the season is over. For me, the most important thing I had to do was apologize to Oscar.

“Because I had nothing to gain, nothing to lose. I went for it. It didn't work. And especially for him too, that we both took the plunge. It's not good. He's my “It's a friend, so I don't want to have any weird feelings or anything during the break.”

Verstappen has been locked in a heated verbal battle with Mercedes' George Russell since last weekend's Qatar Grand Prix and the pair traded insults after a clash in qualifying.

Verstappen, who is expecting his first child with Kelly Piquet, daughter of three-time champion Nelson Piquet, said: “I don't understand anything now, but it's OK, whatever. “I'm not going to get angry.”

“It's not worth my time. And, yes, just take a break,” he said, smiling. “Maybe I'll be 12 when the baby is born, so that's paternity leave. Is”.