Red Bull ready backup plan as F1 ban threatens Verstappen

Enough pressure to crack?

Enough pressure to crack?, Keep the title race alive, Spanish GP drama, Race ban, How many drivers have received a ban?, Driver swap, Yuki Tsunoda under pressure too, Top candidate, Plan C: Arvid Lindblad

As the Austrian GP approaches, Max Verstappen is under pressure to toe the line. A one-race ban is hanging over him after recent on-track incidents, and a suspension at this stage of the season could deal a serious blow to his title chances. As RacingNews365 puts it, it would be nothing short of an embarrassment.

Keep the title race alive

Enough pressure to crack?, Keep the title race alive, Spanish GP drama, Race ban, How many drivers have received a ban?, Driver swap, Yuki Tsunoda under pressure too, Top candidate, Plan C: Arvid Lindblad

The big question is, can Verstappen stay composed and keep himself in the hunt until Austria, where everything could be on the line? Red Bull have prepared some strategies ahead of race week, let's have a look!

Spanish GP drama

Enough pressure to crack?, Keep the title race alive, Spanish GP drama, Race ban, How many drivers have received a ban?, Driver swap, Yuki Tsunoda under pressure too, Top candidate, Plan C: Arvid Lindblad

Frustration would bottle up following the Monaco GP, as the Dutch driver was unable to reduce the gap between himself and the two McLaren drivers. Things would turn sour quickly during the Spanish GP, too, as Verstappen would be handed a 10-second penalty for an on-track collision.

Race ban

Enough pressure to crack?, Keep the title race alive, Spanish GP drama, Race ban, How many drivers have received a ban?, Driver swap, Yuki Tsunoda under pressure too, Top candidate, Plan C: Arvid Lindblad

Verstappen is on the cusp of a F1 ban following the Spanish GP drama, where he earned three penalty points after crashing into George Russell. The Red Bull driver sits with 11 penalty points on his FIA Super Licence, just one away from a ban, reports Motorsport.

How many drivers have received a ban?

Enough pressure to crack?, Keep the title race alive, Spanish GP drama, Race ban, How many drivers have received a ban?, Driver swap, Yuki Tsunoda under pressure too, Top candidate, Plan C: Arvid Lindblad

Verstappen would join the list of eight other drivers who received an F1 race ban (from 1978-present). Funny enough, some of the best drivers in the F1 history have experienced a race ban. Michael Schumacher in 1994 was given a two race ban after he overtook Damon Hill on the formation lap of the British GP. The FIA established a point system back in 2014 in order to keep track of penalties going forward.

Driver swap

Enough pressure to crack?, Keep the title race alive, Spanish GP drama, Race ban, How many drivers have received a ban?, Driver swap, Yuki Tsunoda under pressure too, Top candidate, Plan C: Arvid Lindblad

The Milton Keynes team have drawn up a contingency plan in case Verstappen is handed a penalty in Canada. According to RacingNews365, Red Bull will temporarily promote either Isack Hadjar or Liam Lawson in the event Max Verstappen were to be handed a one race ban.

Yuki Tsunoda under pressure too

Enough pressure to crack?, Keep the title race alive, Spanish GP drama, Race ban, How many drivers have received a ban?, Driver swap, Yuki Tsunoda under pressure too, Top candidate, Plan C: Arvid Lindblad

While a one race ban would result in a major blow towards retaining the Drivers' Championship title for Verstappen, this could also serve as an opportunity to test new drivers inside the RB21. Yuki Tsunoda has struggled to push the car inside the top 10 in the standings, sparking discussions regarding his continuity for the team.

Top candidate

Enough pressure to crack?, Keep the title race alive, Spanish GP drama, Race ban, How many drivers have received a ban?, Driver swap, Yuki Tsunoda under pressure too, Top candidate, Plan C: Arvid Lindblad

The most promising move for Red Bull right now is Isack Hadjar, who currently drives for Racing Bull's Honda. The rookie driver has been an absolute sensation so far this season, sitting 10th in the standings.

Plan C: Arvid Lindblad

Enough pressure to crack?, Keep the title race alive, Spanish GP drama, Race ban, How many drivers have received a ban?, Driver swap, Yuki Tsunoda under pressure too, Top candidate, Plan C: Arvid Lindblad

Nevertheless, Red Bull has also confirmed a plan C if all else fails. Their reserve driver, Arvid Lindblad, was granted a last-minute FIA super licence despite being only 17 years old. The Austrian team has invoked a clause in the FIA's International Sporting Code to request an exemption. The request was granted, and Lindblad will join the already existing reserve driver Ayumu Iwasa at the pit wall.

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