Grid penalties for Verstappen and Lawson over practice collision

Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson have each been moved back one place on the grid after a collision in the second practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix. The stewards considered the conduct of both drivers unacceptable and upgraded the penalty.

The incident began when Verstappen tried to pass Lawson on the inside of Turn 12. The Racing Bulls driver held his position, and the two cars went side by side through Turn 13. Contact occurred at Turn 14. A part falling from Verstappen's car caused a red flag to be shown.

The stewards said they considered the manoeuvres of both drivers unnecessary and careless. Recalling that drivers had been warned about overtaking in the final sector at the team principals' meeting on Friday, the stewards upgraded the penalty, citing similar incidents earlier this year. They also noted that contact of this kind is very rare in practice.

What makes the incident stand out is that both teams are owned by the same group. Racing Bulls is known as Red Bull's junior team. However, the team has not yet announced its 2027 driver line-up. Lawson, who is ninth, is 39 points ahead of his teammate Arvid Lindblad, but his future remains uncertain.