Red Bull F1 driver Max Verstappen has been handed his first penalty of 2025, following an incident in a sim race. Verstappen, who was competing in the final round of the 2024-25 GTP IMSA Global Esports Championship as a wildcard entry, received a drive-through penalty during the virtual Daytona race.
Starting in third place on the grid, Verstappen made an aggressive attempt to take the lead at the first corner of the race. However, his maneuver resulted in a collision with the championship-leading Williams BMW. Both cars were sent off the track, causing them to slide down the order.
Verstappen’s car sustained damage from the incident, and the 27-year-old was penalized for causing the collision. Despite efforts to recover, Verstappen’s car, which he shared with Gustavo Ariel, suffered further damage during the race and ultimately finished in 12th place. As a result, Williams Esports clinched the championship.
Verstappen Admits Mistake After Incident
Speaking after the race, Verstappen acknowledged his role in the incident, explaining that he locked the rear axle while braking for the first corner. He admitted that the mistake was his own, saying, “I just locked up a bit the rears, and in this car, it’s very hard to control that, so I just went wide.”
He continued, “Of course, there was also the other car that I couldn’t avoid, so that was a bit unlucky there. My mistake.”
Verstappen Reflects on Further Race Challenges
Following the incident, Verstappen faced additional challenges during the race. He recalled how both cars sustained damage, making his first stint difficult. “We boxed, cleaned the car, and I would say it was almost fully repaired, so the pace was almost back,” Verstappen noted.
However, things took another turn when Verstappen attempted to overtake a backmarker, which led to another issue. “I tried to overtake a backmarker – I think a GTD car – and he didn’t keep his line,” Verstappen explained. “I think he just wanted to keep out of the way, to be honest, a bit of miscommunication, and I had damage again within three laps of the stint.”
Verstappen Faces Disciplinary Challenges in 2025
Verstappen, who secured his fourth consecutive Formula 1 World Championship in 2024, now faces a more disciplined approach to the 2025 season. His sim racing penalty comes at a time when Verstappen is under scrutiny for his behavior on the track, as he is on a disciplinary tightrope with the potential of a race ban.
Verstappen enters the 2025 F1 season with eight penalty points. Under F1’s penalty point system, drivers are banned from competing in a race once they accumulate 12 points within a 12-month period.
Max Verstappen's Penalty Points Record
Verstappen’s penalty points have accumulated over the final races of 2024. He received two points for forcing McLaren’s Lando Norris off the track at the Mexican Grand Prix in October. He earned another point a week later for failing to meet the minimum Virtual Safety Car delta time during the Brazilian Grand Prix sprint race.
Furthermore, Verstappen was penalized for driving too slowly in qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix, sparking a heated exchange with Mercedes’ George Russell. He added two more penalty points for a collision with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale.
Looking Ahead: Verstappen’s Points Situation
Verstappen's current penalty points tally will not decrease until June 30, the day after the Austrian Grand Prix, when the two points from the collision with Norris in 2024 will fall outside of the 12-month window. With 2025 still in its early stages, Verstappen will need to manage his actions carefully to avoid triggering a race ban.