Max Verstappen facing rare punishment that has only been handed out to one driver in the last 12 years

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is facing a rare punishment that only one other driver has been handed in the past 12 years due to his actions during the Spanish Grand Prix.

The Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona saw perhaps the most finish of the 2025 season so far as reigning champion Verstappen appeared to intentionally cause a collision with former rival George Russell.

Despite some calls for the Dutchman to be disqualified due to his actions, the FIA ultimately decided to hand Verstappen a 10 second penalty, taking him from third down to 10th.

Not only was the result Verstappen's worst-ever in the Spanish Grand Prix, but it also has dealt a brutal blow to his hopes of catching championship leader Oscar Piastri in the standings.

But things could be about to get even worse for the Red Bull driver, as he is at risk of being handed an extremely rare punishment that only one other driver has had to face in the past 12 years.

Max Verstappen was handed a penalty at the Spanish Grand Prix for a collision with George Russell. (Image: Getty)

As a consequence of his actions in Barcelona, the FIA also handed Verstappen three penalty points, taking his total in the last year up to 11.

This is highly concerning for Red Bull and Verstappen as any driver who receives 12 penalty points within a one year period will be given a one-race ban to be served in the following race weekend.

For Verstappen, the rule means that he cannot receive a single penalty point in the month of June, or he will be sidelined for an upcoming race.

With both the Canadian and Austrian Grand Prix set to take place before the end of the month, Verstappen will have to be on his best behaviour to ensure he doesn't miss out on a race weekend, forfeiting the chance to score vital championship points.

Should Verstappen fail to dodge a penalty point in the upcoming races, he will become only the second driver since Roman Grosjean in 2012 to be handed a one-race ban due to a build-up of penalty points.

Former Haas driver Kevin Magnussen was the last driver to receive a one-race ban. (Image: Getty)

In September last year, former Haas driver Kevin Magnussen was handed the final points necessary for a ban after an ambitious overtaking attempt on Pierre Gasly at the Italian Grand Prix.

Heading into the race, the Danish driver had 10 points, with them not set to be wiped until March 9th, 2025.

Despite Gasly making a case to the stewards that a 10 second penalty was enough punishment, Magnussen was handed two more penalty points, taking his total to 12 and causing him to be suspended for last year's Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.