Red Bull Racing has taken decisive action to shield Max Verstappen from a potential Formula 1 race ban by filing an emergency motion with the FIA. This move comes after Verstappen’s controversial collision with George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix, which resulted in a 10-second penalty and three penalty points on his super license. With his total now at 11 points—just one shy of the 12-point threshold that triggers an automatic race ban—Red Bull is proactively seeking measures to prevent their star driver from missing upcoming races.
The incident in question occurred late in the Spanish Grand Prix when Verstappen, after being instructed to let Russell pass, appeared to deliberately collide with the Mercedes driver. This action drew widespread criticism from the F1 community, with former world champion Nico Rosberg suggesting it warranted disqualification. Verstappen later acknowledged his mistake, attributing it to frustration during a strategy-heavy race.
In response to the looming threat of a race ban, Red Bull has requested a super license exemption from the FIA for 17-year-old Arvid Lindblad, a promising talent in their junior program. Under current FIA regulations, drivers must be at least 18 years old to compete in F1; however, exceptions can be made for those demonstrating exceptional skill. If granted, this exemption would allow Lindblad to serve as a reserve driver, ready to step in should Verstappen be suspended.
Additionally, Red Bull is considering other contingency plans. Drivers like Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson, both affiliated with the Racing Bulls team, are potential candidates to replace Verstappen temporarily. Ayumu Iwasa, a Japanese driver with F1 experience, is also in the mix. These preparations underscore the team’s commitment to maintaining competitiveness in the championship, even in the face of unforeseen challenges.
With the Canadian Grand Prix on the horizon, Red Bull is urging Verstappen to exercise caution to avoid accruing any additional penalty points. Team advisor Helmut Marko emphasized the importance of restraint, noting that a ban during the upcoming races, particularly the team’s home race in Austria, would be disastrous. The situation remains tense as Red Bull navigates this critical juncture in their season.
