Stewards handed Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson a one-place grid penalty each for their Friday FP2 collision at the Mexico City Grand Prix, escalating from a warning after calling the pair’s behaviour unacceptable. Both drivers also received a penalty point.
Mexico City, Mexico: A clash between two cars that were not even on a flying lap has cost both drivers a place on the grid for Sunday’s race. The stewards at the Autódromo Hermanos RodrÃguez ruled that Verstappen and Lawson were equally at fault for the contact that brought out a red flag in the second practice session.
What happened in the stadium section
Early in FP2, Verstappen was on a preparation lap and Lawson on a cool-down lap before another push. Verstappen tried to pass on the inside into Turn 12. The two ran side by side through Turn 13 and made contact at Turn 14. Debris from the collision brought out a brief red flag, and Verstappen’s car was damaged, a detail covered in our Friday practice report.
Why a warning became a penalty
The stewards first considered a formal warning, then went further. They said both drivers had behaved in a manner that was considered unacceptable, especially because a warning about overtaking in the final sector had been issued at the team managers’ meeting earlier that day. They also pointed to similar incidents in free practice this year and to contact between cars in practice in previous seasons.
Both drivers admitted that their moves had been unnecessary and clumsy. The decision: a one-place grid penalty for each, applied to wherever they qualify, plus one penalty point on each driver’s superlicence.
Verstappen’s view, and Lawson’s uncertain seat
Verstappen was critical of his rival after the session, saying it was not very smart behaviour from Lawson. The incident also carries extra weight for the Racing Bulls driver, whose seat for 2027 has not been confirmed.
What it means for Sunday
Each driver will start one place lower than he qualifies, a modest sanction that still costs track position. Verstappen had been fifth in FP2, 0.311 seconds off Charles Leclerc’s pace, while Lawson was ninth. With Kimi Antonelli able to clinch the world title on Sunday with a top-nine finish, the order at the front and in the midfield will draw attention. Qualifying takes place on Saturday and the race on Sunday.
