During the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP, Verstappen was once again hit with a 10-second penalty after an incident involving McLaren's Oscar Piastri on the opening lap of the race. This statement led to speculation that Verstappen may once again find himself in hot water with the FIA for something other than a racing incident.

Max Verstappen is just four points away from an automatic one race ban under F1's penalty points system having been hit with two in Abu Dhabi.