One year after his clash with George Russell, Max Verstappen approaches the Monaco GP with no penalty points on his super license.
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The Monaco Grand Prix marks a symbolic turning point for Max Verstappen. The Red Bull driver arrives in the Principality with a completely clean disciplinary record, twelve months after a very tense episode that almost cost him a suspension in Formula 1.
At the time, during the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, the Dutchman had lost his temper in a sequence that became one of the most talked-about of the season. After a restart under safety car and a tough duel with George Russell, the incident escalated.
A clash that cost Verstappen dearly
It all started with a controversial defensive maneuver by Verstappen, who first cut a chicane before being ordered by his engineer to give the position back. An order he accepted… but explosively.
In a gesture of frustration, the Red Bull driver then collided with Russell’s Mercedes, causing an immediate penalty from the stewards. The FIA handed him a ten-second penalty, dropping him out of the top 5 points.
Beyond the race penalty, this episode had a major impact on his license points tally. Verstappen had then reached a total of 11 out of 12 possible points over a one-year period, being just one point away from an automatic suspension.
A situation that put considerable pressure on the four-time world champion, who was then forced to race several Grands Prix under strict steward surveillance.
One year later, the counter has reset to zero
Since this incident, several points have gradually expired, in accordance with FIA regulations. The three points related to the clash with Russell have also disappeared from the system after twelve months. Result: Verstappen now arrives in Monaco with a completely clean license, for the first time in a long time.
The Red Bull driver himself admitted afterwards that this episode was “nothing glorious”, while explaining that it happened in the heat of the moment and under maximum tension.
Today, this sanction belongs to the past. Verstappen can approach the Monaco Grand Prix without immediate disciplinary constraints, in a much calmer sporting context.
It remains to be seen whether this regained freedom will translate into a performance as clean on the track as his record has become off it.
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