Formula 1 drivers will receive a one-race suspension if they pick up 12 penalty points on their super licence in a 12-month period.

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen will receive a one-race ban, should he pick up any penalty points in his next two races.

The Dutchman, 27, was handed three penalty points after appearing to deliberately crash into Mercedes’ George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday.

Verstappen received a 10-second penalty for the collision but was later given three penalty points on his Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) super licence, taking him to 11 penalty points for the past 12 months.

Verstappen has two points which expire on 30 June, meaning should he avoid any further points at this month’s Canadian and Austrian Grands Prix, he would not reach the threshold for a suspension unless he receives three or more points before 27 October.

Penalty points are given for a range of offences, with points handed out based on the severity of the incident.

These include causing collisions, driving too slowly in pit lanes and overtaking while a red flag is being waved.

Once drivers hit 12 points, they are banned for one race and all points are removed once their ban is served.