Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso are both at risk of receiving race bans ahead of this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.
The two Formula 1 stars have accumulated eight penalty points on their licences, leaving them just four points shy of the 12-point threshold that triggers an automatic suspension.
Under FIA regulations, drivers who reach the maximum 12 points face a mandatory one-race ban.
Verstappen's precarious position stems from a crash with Oscar Piastri at the 2024 Abu Dhabi season finale.
Max Verstappen already has eight penalty points and 12 will enforce a race ban
Reuters
The four-time world champion won't have any points removed from his licence until the British Grand Prix in July.
With stewards increasingly strict on driver contact, two 10-second time penalties could see Verstappen forced to sit out a race.
This would severely impact his title defence, giving rivals Lando Norris and Piastri an advantage.
Despite the risk, Verstappen has indicated he won't alter his aggressive driving style.
"No, but I've been there before," he said when asked if he would change his approach. "I think I've been on nine or 10 [previously], so it's all about just managing the situation."
The Dutch driver appears unfazed by his proximity to a potential race ban, drawing confidence from similar situations in his past.
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Alonso's situation differs slightly from Verstappen's, with some relief on the horizon for the Spanish driver.
The two-time world champion will drop three penalty points from his licence after this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.
He will then shed a further three points in mid-April, significantly reducing his risk of suspension.
This schedule gives Alonso more breathing room compared to Verstappen's longer wait for points to expire.
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Max Verstappen is unfazed by a prospective ban
Reuters
Alonso has been critical of the penalty point system following a collision with Zhou Guanyu at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix, which earned him two penalty points.
"I think when penalty points were introduced, it was to avoid dangerous drivers [from] accumulating penalties without a race ban," he complained.
"Now we are mistaking racing mistakes for dangerous driving. I made a racing mistake in Turn Three, and I hit Zhou, and I deserve a 10-second penalty."
The penalty point system has already claimed one victim in 2024, with Kevin Magnussen breaching the 12-point limit.
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Fernando Alonso is also facing a race ban
Reuters
The former Haas driver was suspended for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after accumulating numerous penalty points in the first half of the campaign.
British driver Oliver Bearman stepped in to replace Magnussen during his one-race ban.
This precedent demonstrates the FIA's willingness to enforce the suspension rule when drivers exceed the threshold.
