Sergio Perez Faces Possible F1 Race Ban Following Multiple Penalties at the Japanese Grand Prix

Sergio Perez, Red Bull’s second driver, is in danger of receiving a one-race ban in Formula 1 after being assessed four penalty points on his racing license. This comes after a challenging Japanese Grand Prix for the Mexican driver, during which he retired from the race twice.

Perez’s troubles began right from the start of the weekend. Despite starting in fifth place, he was involved in a collision at the first corner, leading to the replacement of his front wing. Subsequently, Perez was penalized for overtaking behind the safety car while entering the pits, and later, he collided with Kevin Magnussen’s Haas, resulting in yet another penalty.

Currently, Perez has accumulated seven penalty points on his racing license, leaving him just five points shy of receiving a race ban. Formula 1 drivers are not allowed to accumulate 12 penalty points within a 12-month period, as it results in an automatic race ban. Although no driver has ever triggered this sanction, Perez now finds himself in a precarious position.

Reflecting on the race, Perez expressed his frustration, stating, “It was just a disastrous weekend. It all started in turn one with a really bad start, and I was squeezed down, and I was just a passenger in a sandwich. I think we carried a lot of damage in the car as well, and that just made it a lot harder for us.”

Perez also generated controversy by briefly unretiring from the race to serve his second penalty before ultimately retiring for the second time.