How many points is Max Verstappen away from a one-race ban? The Formula 1 champion racked up penalty points during an intense rivalry with Lewis Hamilton

Red Bull bosses could sweat through the 2022 Formula 1 season knowing that Max Verstappen could face a one-race ban.

The defending champion will look to renew his rivalry with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton after a controversial title in Abu Dhabi in December.

The new season begins in March with the first race in Bahrain, but Verstappen will have to show his best behavior to avoid giving his rivals a boost.

So how far is the Dutchman from a ban? talkSPORT.com takes a look…

How many points is Max Verstappen away from a ban?

The 24-year-old currently has Seven points on his Super License for incidents dating from September to December.

If Verstappen is down with five others, he would become the first driver in F1 history to be suspended for racking up 12 penalty points over a 12-month period.

In total, the defending champion will now have to negotiate 16 races before his points start to slip off his record.

Yuki Tsunoda (eight) and Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez (seven) also need to watch out as the new season approaches.

However, they will see the first of their points erased on April 18 after just three Grands Prix – a whopping 13 less than Verstappen.

Max Verstappen’s penalty spots

Italian GP – Two points
Expires: September 12, 2022
Reason: Collision with Hamilton in Turn 2

Qatar GP – Two points
Expires: November 21, 2022
Reason: Failure to respect the double yellow flag during qualifying

Saudi Arabia GP – A point
Expires: December 5, 2022
Reason: Leaving the track and gaining a sustainable advantage

Saudi Arabia GP – Two points
Expires: December 5, 2022
Reason: braked in a way that caused a collision with Hamilton at turn 26

Why did Max Verstappen earn his penalty points?

Italian Grand Prix: September 12, 2021

The first offense came for the two points he racked up for a crash with Hamilton at the Italian Grand Prix in September.

A pit stop crash midway through the race put the drivers on a collision course as Hamilton crashed out of the pit lane with Verstappen on the straight.

The British driver exited alongside Verstappen and while the Dutchman had just enough room to round the first corner as he drove wheel to wheel, the Red Bull man was rushed into the next one and after having chose not to bail out the duel the two cars collided.

Verstappen was pushed to the sausage curb after his right rear tire collided with Hamilton’s left rear which sent the Red Bull car flying through the air before landing on Mercedes’ halo protection device.

As a result, both drivers were forced to retire from the race and, in the end, Verstappen was found to be “primarily responsible”.

Qatar Grand Prix: November 21, 2021

Verstappen received another two-point penalty for failing to double yellow flag during qualifying for the inaugural race in the Middle East.

The double-wave yellow flags were shown after Pierre Gasly stopped on the straight after sustaining damage to his car while driving on the pavement.

On-board footage of Verstappen’s Red Bull showed a double-waving yellow flag on its left side, but the driver did not slow his speed.

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: December 5, 2021

The penultimate competition of the season was one of the most biting races of the year with drama unfolding throughout the show.

One clash, however, emerged from the rest and that was when Hamilton accused Verstappen of “testing the brakes” on him on lap 37 towards the end of the race.

Verstappen had already received two penalty points for going off the track and gaining a sustainable advantage before being slapped with two more when told to return the position to Hamilton.

The Briton was caught off guard by his slowing rival before being rammed by challenger Mercedes.

Hamilton called him ‘crazy’ on the radio and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff fumed as he threw his headphones on the ground.