Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson face grid penalties after a collision during Mexican GP free practice, with FIA citing unnecessary on-track behavior.
Verstappen and Lawson penalized for collision
Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson were given grid penalties for their collision during free practice at the Mexican Grand Prix. The incident occurred during EL2, a session where drivers test car setups before qualifying.Collision happens on the Hermanos Rodríguez circuit
The collision took place on the Hermanos Rodríguez circuit, specifically in the section before the stadium complex. The two drivers, who had been teammates at Red Bull for three races due to Isack Hadjar’s wrist injury, were involved in an unnecessary battle that ended in contact.Verstappen attempts to overtake Lawson
During a warm-up lap, Verstappen tried to overtake Lawson on the inside at turn 12. Lawson, who was on a slow lap before attempting a faster one, resisted Verstappen’s move. The two drivers then contested the path at turn 13, leading to contact at turn 14.Contact damages Lawson’s car and triggers investigation
Verstappen’s Red Bull ran over the right side of Lawson’s front wing, causing debris on the track and prompting the stewards to investigate. After the session, Verstappen described Lawson’s maneuver as "not smart." Both drivers were later questioned by the sporting stewards.Stewards find both drivers at fault
The FIA reviewed the footage and heard from both drivers. They concluded that both were responsible for the collision. The stewards noted that the drivers had been warned earlier in the day about inappropriate behavior on the track.Grid penalties reflect prior warnings
The stewards emphasized that both drivers acknowledged their maneuvers were unnecessary and clumsy. Considering similar incidents this season, they decided to impose grid penalties instead of just a warning. This decision aligns with previous actions taken for contact during free practice.Penalty affects Mexican Grand Prix grid
The penalties will directly impact the starting grid of the Mexican Grand Prix, with both drivers dropping one position from their qualifying results. However, they can still challenge the decision through the FIA’s appeal process.Hadjar faces inquiry over fan incident
Separately, Isack Hadjar was summoned by race commissioners to explain an altercation he had with a young fan in the paddock. This incident occurred on Friday, the day before the free practice sessions.
