Verstappen and Lawson Both Hit With Grid Penalties for 'Unacceptable' Mexico Practice Clash

Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson have both been hit with a one-place grid penalty for the Mexico City Grand Prix after their needless clash in second practice. The stewards also handed each driver one penalty point on their super licence, escalating the punishment after a warning given to team managers earlier in the day. The incident came just 13 minutes into FP2 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Verstappen dived down the inside at Turn 12 on Lawson, his former Red Bull team-mate, and the pair jostled through the slow Turn 13 before Verstappen ran over the edge of the Racing Bulls' front wing at Turn 14, scattering debris that forced a brief red flag. In their verdict, the stewards noted that Verstappen was on a preparation lap and Lawson on a cool-down lap preparing for another push lap, and that both drivers behaved in a manner considered unacceptable, particularly in view of the earlier warning. Both drivers admitted the moves were unnecessary and "clumsy". Verstappen had called Lawson's driving "not very smart behaviour" after the session, while Lawson, who is fighting to keep his Racing Bulls seat for 2027, was left with a damaged front wing. Verstappen finished FP2 fifth and Lawson ninth, behind Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who topped the session. Both men will now start Sunday's race one place lower than they qualify.