Formula 1

Verstappen eyes potential F1 Penalty Point changes

1 Mins read

Max Verstappen believes the FIA should look into making changes into its Formula 1 penalty system after ending 2015 only four penalty points away from a one-race ban.

The teenage sensation accrued three penalty points in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last month, and will have to wait until after the Monaco Grand Prix in May before any of his points are wiped from his Superlicence.

Now the Scuderia Toro Rosso driver believes the current penalisation of drivers and the possibility of a race ban is unfair, especially as it could theoretically prevent drivers from making overtaking manoeuvres, something Verstappen was renowned for in 2015.

“It’s a shame, they shouldn’t stop us from racing,” said Verstappen to Autosport. “I can’t change it now but definitely I have to be a bit more careful.

“I don’t think that is what the fans want to see, that I have to back off when I want to overtake because I’m scared to touch someone. We have to maybe revise the system a bit but it’s not up to me.

“Maybe they should do it in a different way rather than penalty points and eventually a race ban. They should come up with a fine or whatever. That is also painful but it’s different than a race ban, because it’s really bad for you career if you get a race ban.”

Romain Grosjean was the last driver to find himself banned from a Grand Prix after being found guilty of dangerous driving at the start of the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix, but Verstappen has revealed he will not stop attempting to overtake in 2016, although he admits he will have to be careful during the earlier rounds.

“Definitely the first few races [of 2016] I have to be careful,” said Verstappen. “Maybe when you want to try a risky move when maybe you’re touching someone, I can’t so it’s a shame, but I will try to overtake people anyway.”

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Long time motorsport fanatic, covering Formula 1 and the occassional other series. Feel free to give him a follow on Twitter at @Paul11MSport.
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