Max Verstappen Could Face One-Race Ban In 2022 As Penalty Points Stacked Up In Intense Rivalry With Lewis Hamilton

Red Bull bosses may be sweating during the 2022 Formula 1 season with the knowledge Max Verstappen could face a one-race ban. The reigning champion will look to renew his rivalry with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton after a controversial title-decider in Abu Dhabi in December.

The new season starts in March with the first race in Bahrain, although currently there does seem to be uncertainty around Hamilton’s participation as he contemplates his future.

More fans than ever before can be expected to watch the 2022 campaign with as the two superstars go head-to-head as new cars take to the grid and rules are implemented. But Verstappen could potentially become the first driver in Formula 1 history to earn a suspension for accruing 12 penalty points in a 12-month period.

He’s currently got seven points on his Super Licence for incidents dating from September to December.

This means he will now have to negotiate 16 races before these begin to come off his record. It leaves the Dutch driver little room for error in his battle to retain his title, especially with his 2021 win coming down to the final race.