Verstappen, Lawson receive grid penalties after 'unacceptable' practice collision
Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson have both received one-grid place penalties for an "unacceptable" collision in second practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Key points
- Verstappen and Lawson each received a one-place grid penalty for their practice collision in Mexico City.
- Stewards called the contact unacceptable and escalated the sanction from a formal warning.
- Lawson sits ninth in the standings, 39 points ahead of team-mate Arvid Lindblad.
Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson have each been given a one-place grid penalty for a collision in second practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Verstappen tried to pass Lawson on the inside at Turn 12, the pair ran side by side through Turn 13 and made contact at Turn 14, with debris falling from Verstappen's car and causing a red flag.
Why stewards escalated the penalty
The stewards said both drivers "behaved in a manner that was considered unacceptable" and noted a warning about overtaking in the final sector had been given at the team managers meeting on Friday. They said both drivers admitted the moves were unnecessary and clumsy, and that the penalty was raised from a formal warning to a grid place partly because of that earlier warning.
If I would be him, I would act a little bit smarter.
— Max Verstappen
Verstappen criticises Lawson
Before the verdict, Verstappen said Lawson's behaviour was not smart, adding that when fighting for a seat "it's not very smart behaviour." Lawson said on the radio that Verstappen drove into him. Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane said both drivers were at fault for a collision he called completely unnecessary.
Lawson is ninth in the standings, 39 points ahead of team-mate Arvid Lindblad, and Racing Bulls have not confirmed their 2027 line-up. Sky Sports F1's Karun Chandhok said it would be unjust if Lawson lost his seat.
