Max Verstappen has had three penalty points removed from his record prior to the Brazilian Grand Prix, reducing his total to six points. This adjustment provides him with more breathing room as he and his competitor, Oliver Bearman, approach the final stages of the season.

Following their successful performances at the Mexican Grand Prix, where Verstappen finished third and Bearman fourth, both drivers received favorable news from the FIA. Verstappen’s penalty points were rescinded, including two for an incident involving Lando Norris in Mexico and another for a violation during the virtual safety car period in Brazil.

Bearman, who had been on the brink of a race ban after accumulating penalty points from an incident with Carlos Sainz in Italy, also had two points removed for an incident with Franco Colapinto in Brazil. Despite a 10-second time penalty for exceeding track limits in a battle with Kimi Antonelli, Bearman did not receive any additional penalty points on his super license.

In addition to Verstappen and Bearman, Oscar Piastri saw two penalty points erased from his license due to a collision with Liam Lawson during last year’s Sao Paulo race. These adjustments provide some relief to the drivers as they navigate the intense competition in the championship battle, with Norris currently leading the Drivers’ Championship by a narrow margin.

Verstappen, aiming for his fifth consecutive title, acknowledges the need for flawless performances moving forward to stay in contention. Recognizing the significant challenge ahead, he emphasized the importance of winning every race to maintain his championship aspirations amidst fierce competition.

The evolving penalty point scenarios among the drivers add an intriguing dimension to the championship narrative as the season progresses, with each contender facing unique pressures and strategic considerations to secure a favorable position in the standings.