Verstappen and Lawson given grid penalties for Mexico City Grand Prix practice collision

Red Bull's Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson of New Zealand collided in Friday's second practice session at the Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix. Race stewards gave both drivers a one-place grid penalty, which applies to Sunday's race.

The contact came after Verstappen tried to pass Lawson on the inside at Turn 12. Lawson held his line, the two ran side by side through Turn 13, and they touched at Turn 14. A piece of debris fell from Verstappen's car and a red flag stopped the session. The stewards noted that such collisions in practice are very rare and said both drivers behaved in an unacceptable manner. A warning about overtaking in the final sector had been given at the team managers' meeting earlier that day. Both drivers admitted the moves were unnecessary and clumsy. Because similar incidents have happened this year, the stewards escalated the sanction from a formal warning to a grid penalty.

Drivers' views

Verstappen, a four-time world champion, said Lawson's behaviour was not smart given that he is fighting for his seat. He said Lawson started to accelerate when he saw him coming. Lawson said on the team radio that Verstappen had driven into him. Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane said both drivers were at fault and could do better.

Lawson's future

Racing Bulls is Red Bull's junior team, and both teams share the same owners. Racing Bulls has not yet announced its 2027 line-up. Lawson is ninth in the drivers' standings, 39 points ahead of team-mate Arvid Lindblad. Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov, who made his F1 practice debut on Friday, is second in the Formula 2 championship and remains in contention for a Racing Bulls seat.