Max Verstappen insists he will not change his driving style despite a potential race ban being just four penalty points away.
Verstappen enters the new season on eight penalty points, with 12 needed to trigger an automatic one-race ban.
Kevin Magnussen became the first driver to be banned under the super licence system at last year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver is not set to lose his next set of points until after June’s race in Austria, meaning he faces 11 rounds and two sprints on the bubble.
Should he receive another four points, he will become the first-ever champion to be banned from a grand prix – as Michael Schumacher was not a world champion when suspended from two 1994 races.
Reflecting on the situation, Verstappen insisted he was not going to adapt his style.
“No, but I’ve been there before,” Verstappen replied when asked by RacingNews365 if he was going to change his on-track approach.
“I think I’ve been on nine or 10 [before], so it’s all about just managing the situation.”
Verstappen was then asked how the birth of his first child with partner Kelly Piquet this summer could coincide with his racing commitments, hinting that a ban could be helpful.
“I mean, I cannot miss a race, unless I have too many points or for swearing, anything is possible.
“But in F1 that doesn’t exist, I cannot take two months off.
“If [the birth happens during a grand prix weekend], happens, it happens, right? There’s nothing that I can do about it.
“Unfortunately, F1 drivers, don’t get time off. But at the same time, I’m also not the one that is giving birth, right?”
