Formula 1 drivers Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson received grid penalties following an on-track collision during the second practice session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the Mexico Grand Prix.
Practice Collision in the Stadium Section
The incident occurred in the Foro Sol stadium section during Friday’s second practice session. Verstappen attempted an overtake on Lawson heading toward Turn 12, but the Racing Bulls driver defended their position, leaving both cars side by side entering the stadium. Verstappen stated he was forced off the track on the outside of Turn 13, subsequently crossing the kerbs at Turn 14 before the two drivers from the Red Bull-linked teams made contact. The impact damaged Verstappen’s barge boards, compromising the remainder of his session.
Speaking to Autosport.com in the media pen, Verstappen voiced his frustration regarding the manoeuvre. “For me, it’s just not very smart behavior when you’re in his position, to pick a fight with me,” Verstappen said, adding that he did not understand what went through Lawson’s head.
Teams and Stewards Respond
Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane characterized the event as unnecessary, explaining that the track layout in Mexico places a heavy emphasis on completing a fast final sector during cool-down or preparation laps to achieve the proper tyre operating window for Turn 1.
Following the session, both drivers were summoned to the FIA stewards. After a multi-hour review, the stewards issued a one-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race and one penalty point on each driver’s superlicence. The official FIA document noted that car 3 (Verstappen) was on a preparation lap while car 30 (Lawson) was on a cool-down lap.
“The drivers of both cars behaved in a manner that was considered unacceptable by the Stewards, particularly in view of the warning that had been given at the Team Managers meeting earlier this day,” the FIA document stated. Both drivers acknowledged to the stewards that their actions were unnecessary and clumsy.
Permane told Autosport.com that both drivers would likely view the situation more calmly upon reflection. “I think in the cold light of day, they’ll be calm and think, actually, we could have both done better,” Permane said, reiterating that neither driver was intentionally picking a fight.
Due to the stewards escalating penalties from formal warnings to grid position penalties—enforced following prior team manager warnings and consistent with past free practice contact incidents—both Red Bull-affiliated teams were ultimately penalized for the on-track altercation.
