Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson have both been handed one-place grid penalties for Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix following a dramatic collision during Friday’s second practice session. The FIA stewards judged that both drivers contributed to an incident they described as unacceptable, turning what initially appeared to be a minor practice disagreement into a costly setback for the two Red Bull-associated teams.
The incident happened in the stadium section of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, attempted to overtake Lawson’s Racing Bulls car approaching Turn 12. Lawson resisted the move, and the pair continued side by side through the following corners. Verstappen subsequently went over the kerb, and the two cars made contact at Turn 14, causing damage and scattering debris onto the track. Race control briefly deployed the red flag to allow the debris to be cleared.
FIA STEWARDS TAKE UNUSUAL ACTION
After reviewing the available footage and data and hearing from both drivers, the stewards decided that neither competitor could escape responsibility. Their decision was influenced by a warning issued during the team managers’ meeting earlier that day about similar behaviour during practice sessions.
The stewards explained that both drivers had admitted their moves were unnecessary and clumsy. They also noted that comparable incidents had occurred during the season, prompting officials to escalate the punishment beyond a formal warning.
Consequently, Verstappen and Lawson will each lose one position on Sunday’s starting grid. Both drivers also received one penalty point on their FIA Super Licences, making the incident more significant than an ordinary practice-session collision.
VERSTAPPEN FIRES BACK AT LAWSON
Verstappen was clearly unhappy with Lawson after the session and questioned the New Zealander’s decision to defend so aggressively during practice.
The four-time world champion suggested Lawson had not behaved intelligently, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding his Racing Bulls future.
Verstappen said: “Maybe not very smart behaviour what he was trying to do there.”
He also questioned why Lawson appeared to accelerate after seeing the Red Bull approaching, arguing that the incident was avoidable. His comments added tension to an already controversial situation, especially considering Lawson previously occupied a seat alongside Verstappen at Red Bull.
RACING BULLS BOSS CRITICISES BOTH DRIVERS
Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane did not completely side with his driver. Instead, he described the collision as unnecessary and made it clear that both competitors should have handled the situation better.
His response reflected the wider frustration surrounding an incident that offered little sporting value during a practice session but created additional work for both teams.
The damage also disrupted their preparations, with Lawson requiring a front-wing change and Verstappen’s car suffering damage. Both drivers were nevertheless able to continue their programmes, finishing FP2 fifth and ninth respectively.
WHAT THE PENALTIES MEAN FOR SUNDAY’S RACE
The one-place grid drops could become important at a circuit where overtaking opportunities are limited and qualifying position can strongly influence a driver’s chances of securing a strong result.
Verstappen will be particularly eager to avoid losing further ground in a championship battle where every available point matters. Lawson, meanwhile, needs a clean and competitive weekend as he continues trying to convince Red Bull that he deserves a Racing Bulls seat for 2027.
The irony is that both drivers have now paid a sporting price for an incident that could have been avoided. Verstappen wanted to get through traffic, Lawson wanted to defend his position, and neither was prepared to give the other enough room.
With qualifying still to come, the penalties add another complication to an already important Mexican Grand Prix weekend. Both drivers will need to put the confrontation behind them and focus on delivering a strong performance when the points are finally awarded on Sunday.
