Verstappen Hits Out at Lawson: Mexico Crash Brings Grid Penalty

Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson will start one place further back for the Mexican Grand Prix. Both drivers, who collided in the second practice session on Friday, had a penalty point added to their superlicences.

The crash happened in the 13th minute of the session. Verstappen tried to pass Lawson on the inside at Turn 12. When Lawson held his line into Turn 13, the two cars made contact while running side by side. Both cars were damaged, debris was scattered across the track, and the session was stopped with a red flag.

The race directors called both drivers in after the session and found their driving styles unacceptable. The drivers admitted that the collision was unnecessary and careless. The stewards also noted that they had already warned team managers about similar incidents in practice this season. For that reason, a grid penalty was given instead of the usual formal reprimand.

Four-time world champion Verstappen openly criticised Lawson. He said it was not smart for someone fighting to keep his seat to take such a risk. He added that, given Lawson's position in the team, picking a fight with him made no sense. Lawson, for his part, insisted over the team radio that Verstappen had hit him.

Racing Bulls team boss Alan Permane was also unhappy with the behaviour of both drivers. Permane told the BBC in one word that it was unnecessary, and he applied this to both of them. In his view, both drivers could have done better.