Max Verstappen had an incredible response to being told that he is closing in on a race ban after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Verstappen started fourth at the Yas Marina Circuit and attempted to overtake second-placed Oscar Piastri into turn one, but he understeered into the side of the McLaren.
The Dutchman received a 10-second time penalty which he served at his pit stop, ending any chance of finishing the season on the podium.
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Verstappen instead finished in sixth place to end a season which has seen him win his fourth world championship.
He will hope to be at the front of the pack in pursuit of a fifth title next season, but his chances could be affected by an extremely rare phenomenon.
The Dutchman was given two penalty points for his collision with Piastri, taking the total penalty points on his licence to eight.
Should a driver receive 12 points within a 12-month period, they will incur a one-race ban - as Haas driver Kevin Magnussen did for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix earlier this season.
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The points will expire once the 12-month threshold has been passed, but Verstappen will have to wait until June 30, 2025 before he loses two points from his licence.
There will be 12 races next season before June 30 arrives, as well as several sprint weekends, meaning the reigning champion could be in danger of missing a race should he be involved in any more incidents.
When asked about the possibility of a ban in his post-Abu Dhabi press conference, though, Verstappen seemed relatively non-plussed - referencing the upcoming birth of his first child with partner Kelly Piquet.
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He told Viaplay (via De Telegraaf): "Maybe I'll make sure I get to 12 points when the baby is born. Then I can go on paternity leave."
The Red Bull driver also paid tribute to his team on Instagram for their work during the season, which saw him clinch the championship with two races to spare.
Verstappen wrote: "2024 [tick emoji]. Thank you so much for the hard work this year @redbullracing. Now ready for some time off!"
Topics: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Formula 1
Ryan Smart