As Max Verstappen edges dangerously close to a one-race suspension, Helmut Marko calls for the 'let them race' mentality to shine through again in F1.
Under the terms of their FIA super-license, an F1 driver will be hit with a one-race ban if they reach the feared total of 12 points, as Kevin Magnussen found out in 2024, becoming the first driver to receive this sanction when he was forced not to participate in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The Red Bul advisor was asked about the case of Verstappen, who has 8 penalty points until at least next June.
Should he improve his piloting and choose his battles better?
“Penalty points are a big story, but as far as I remember there was only one real incident in Austria, and I think it was a tough battle.”
“As everyone at the time said, ‘let them run’.”
“It was one incident, and the other happened in the last race in Abu Dhabi. He had a very good start. [Carlos] Sainz didn't get a good start, so that allowed him to do that, and there was a chance. I think Piastri wasn't looking to the side. I think he was looking forward. It's a racing incident in the first corner, it can happen.”
“But otherwise, Max is Max, and that's part of his charisma, his personality. If he has a chance, he takes it and he's a tough driver, a tough driver, that's also part of his image, and I don't think he needs to change.”
“So the penalty points he got in 2024 annoy him. Max has his own opinion and he expresses it too. If he was threatened with a suspension, he would not fail to voice his opinion loudly and strong.”
