GPDA Chairman Urges Max Verstappen Amid Race Ban Threat

Max Verstappen is heading into the Canadian Grand Prix under intense pressure, sitting just one penalty point away from a race ban. The Red Bull Racing star received three penalty points following an on-track incident with George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix.

This increased his tally to 11 points within the past 12 months, putting him close to an automatic suspension. If Verstappen collects one more penalty point in Montreal, he will be forced to sit out the next race, which is Red Bull’s home event in Austria.

Alex Wurz, chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, urged Verstappen to avoid risky maneuvers over the Canada weekend. The Austrian Grand Prix, set for June 29 at Spielberg, is especially important for Red Bull, and Verstappen has won there four times.

Wurz emphasized that Verstappen is experienced enough to handle the pressure. He noted Verstappen knows what’s at stake and is expected to keep his racing within the rules to avoid missing a key race for his team.

After the Austrian Grand Prix, two of Verstappen’s penalty points will expire, reducing the risk of suspension. But the Canadian round arrives at a critical time, with the top four teams—McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull—all still fighting for big points.

McLaren has had a strong start in 2025, winning seven of the first nine races. Verstappen is currently third in the standings with 137 points, trailing McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal is known for producing unpredictable results. Alex Wurz mentioned that the track’s special asphalt surface affects tire performance and can shuffle the order among the top teams.

This feature means mistakes could be costly for anyone under pressure, including Verstappen, who aims to stay clear of trouble and finish the race cleanly.

Elsewhere, Verstappen’s rivals have commented on his current situation. Lando Norris, second in the points, responded directly to Verstappen’s recent aggressive driving, while Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko expressed concerns that Verstappen’s penalty status could give competitors an advantage.

As the championship race intensifies, the eyes of the F1 world will be on Montreal to see if Verstappen can keep his composure. This weekend marks the tenth round of the 2025 season, with several key battles unfolding across the grid and in the standings.

The calendar continues with Austria, followed by the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, and then Belgium at Spa at the end of July. Red Bull, currently fourth in the team standings, will rely on Verstappen to secure vital points as soon as possible.

Fans and teams alike will watch closely as Verstappen navigates one of the most important weekends of his career. Avoiding a penalty in Canada would keep his championship fight alive and ensure he competes in Red Bull’s home race in Austria, where he has enjoyed considerable success.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.