Max Verstappen received a drive-through penalty for causing a collision during the final round of the 2024-25 GTP IMSA Esports Championship at Daytona.
The incident occurred at the virtual Daytona International Speedway, where the four-time Formula 1 World Champion participated as a wildcard entry in a race that featured significant stakes, including a $25,000 prize pool.
This penalty marks the first disciplinary action against Max Verstappen in 2025 and raises questions about his racing conduct as he navigates a precarious disciplinary landscape.
Starting from third on the grid, the Dutchman made an aggressive move for the lead at the opening corner. However, he misjudged his Acura’s braking performance, resulting in a collision with the championship-leading Williams BMW.
The impact sent both cars off track and ultimately cost them valuable time as they struggled to regain their positions. Verstappen’s car sustained damage from the incident, which was compounded by a subsequent drive-through penalty for causing the collision.
This misstep not only impacted his performance but also played a crucial role in Williams clinching the IMSA Esports championship title.
Max Verstappen’s response to the incident was candid; he acknowledged that he had made a mistake by locking up his rear tires while braking.
“I just locked up a bit the rears and in this car, it’s very hard to control that, so I just went wide,” Verstappen explained. “Of course, there was also the other car that I couldn’t avoid, so that was a bit unlucky there. My mistake.
“After that, I think both cars had damage, so it was quite a difficult first stint. Then we boxed, almost cleaned the car I would say, it was almost fully repaired, so the pace was almost back.
“I tried to overtake a backmarker, I think a GTD car, and he didn’t keep his line. I think he just wanted to keep out of the way, to be honest, a bit of miscommunication and I had damage again within three laps of the stint.”
Despite his efforts to recover after pitting for repairs, Verstappen and his teammate Gustavo Ariel ultimately finished in 12th place, far from their intended goal.
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The penalty comes at a critical juncture for Max Verstappen as he enters 2025 F1 with eight penalty points accrued over the previous season. Under Formula 1 regulations, drivers who accumulate 12 points within a 12-month period face potential race bans.
This looming threat adds pressure on the Red Bull F1 driver as he prepares for the upcoming season, particularly given his history of controversial incidents on track.
In 2024 alone, he received multiple penalties that contributed to his current tally, including points for forcing rival drivers off track and failing to adhere to Virtual Safety Car regulations.
Verstappen’s disciplinary record has been under scrutiny since last season when he faced criticism for several on-track incidents that raised eyebrows. His aggressive driving style has often been lauded for its effectiveness in securing victories but has also drawn ire when it results in collisions or penalties.
The FIA has even introduced new rules partly in response to Max Verstappen’s driving behavior, highlighting the impact he has had on the sport.
As Verstappen prepares for the start of the 2025 F1 season, his recent penalty serves as a reminder that even in sim racing—an arena often viewed as less intense than real-world racing—disciplinary measures are taken seriously.
The competitive nature of sim racing mirrors that of traditional motorsport, where every decision made on track can have lasting repercussions.
Besides the IMSA Esports sim racing event, Max Verstappen is also set to participate in other high-profile competitions such as the 24 Hours of Daytona sim racing event between January 17-19. His involvement in these events showcases his versatility as a driver and commitment to pushing competitive boundaries beyond F1.
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