Max Verstappen has had three penalty points removed from his record, easing concerns about a potential race ban before the Brazilian Grand Prix. His total penalty points have now decreased to six, providing a more comfortable margin as he competes with his rival Oliver Bearman in the upcoming final four races of the season.
Both Verstappen and Bearman had successful outings at the Mexican Grand Prix, securing third and fourth places, respectively. Bearman achieved his best career result, narrowly missing out on a podium finish.
Following the race, FIA regulations allowed for the removal of penalty points from both drivers’ super licenses. Verstappen had previously received two penalty points for incidents in Mexico and Brazil, but these have now been expunged from his record.
Bearman had been on the verge of a race ban, with just two penalty points remaining after an incident with Carlos Sainz. However, the FIA decision to erase two points stemming from an altercation with Franco Colapinto in Brazil last year reduced his total penalty points to eight.
While Bearman incurred a 10-second time penalty for a track limit violation in a battle with Kimi Antonelli, this penalty did not result in additional points on his FIA super license.
Apart from Verstappen and Bearman, other drivers also saw adjustments to their penalty points 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 relaxed penalty point situation provides some relief for Verstappen, Bearman, and Piastri as they navigate the intense championship battle in its final stages. With Norris leading the Drivers’ Championship by a single point after his recent victory in Mexico City, the competition is heating up.
Piastri faces significant pressure as he tries to keep up with his rivals and recover from a sizable points deficit over the past few races. Verstappen is keenly aware of the need for flawless performances to secure his fifth consecutive title, emphasizing the importance of winning every remaining race to maintain his championship hopes.