Can Max Verstappen receive penalty points during a Free Practice session?

With eleven penalty points on his super license, Max Verstappen is just one penalty point away from a racing ban. If Verstappen reaches twelve points, he would be suspended and unable to compete at the next Grand Prix. This could theoretically happen over the entire race weekend, not just in qualifying or on Sunday.

Penalty points are indeed not only given out during a Grand Prix or a qualification, but also can be awarded for severe infractions during practice sessions. Of the current field of participants, several drivers have already received a penalty during a practice session.

For example, Oliver Bearman received two penalty points on his super license for overtaking Carlos Sainz under red flag conditions during the second free practice in Monaco. Lance Stroll received one penalty point for colliding with Charles Leclerc at the same race weekend in Monaco.

Penalty points are awarded slightly less quickly during a practice session, but it is certainly not impossible. Verstappen must therefore be careful not only during the Grand Prix but also in all practice sessions and qualifying to avoid facing a suspension.

So far, Verstappen has managed to complete both practice sessions without being noted for any misconduct. Saturday holds both the third practice session and qualifying.

The first two penalty points of Max Verstappen will expire on 30 June, 2025, after the Austrian GP. After that, Verstappen has to wait a long time before further points will begin to disappear towards the end of October, when on 27 October, 2025, another point will come off the board. See the complete list here.