F1: Verstappen and Lawson receive 1-place Mexico City grid penalties
The practice collision damaged both cars and stopped the session. The stewards' sanctions will move each driver back on the race grid.
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The practice collision damaged both cars and stopped the session. The stewards' sanctions will move each driver back on the race grid.
Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson each received a 1-place grid penalty for the Mexico City Grand Prix after colliding in second practice, Motorsport Week said. Each driver also received 1 penalty point on his Super Licence, the license required to race in Formula 1.
Verstappen drives for Red Bull and Lawson for Racing Bulls, its junior squad. The teams share owners.
Both drivers were summoned to the stewards after the incident. An earlier BBC account expected no significant punishment because the collision happened in practice; the stewards instead imposed race-grid sanctions.
During second practice on 30 October, Verstappen tried to pass Lawson at Turn 12. The drivers ran alongside each other through the stadium section and made contact at Turn 14.
Verstappen bounced over the curb and rejoined alongside Lawson. The collision damaged the Red Bull’s floor and the Racing Bulls car’s front wing. Debris prompted a red flag, stopping practice so the track could be cleared, before both drivers resumed their programs.
After reviewing video and data and speaking to both drivers, the stewards found that Verstappen was on a preparation lap and Lawson was cooling down before another fast lap as they approached Turn 12. They described both drivers' conduct as unacceptable and said both admitted their moves were unnecessary and “clumsy.”
The stewards said similar practice incidents during the year, together with a warning at that day’s team managers' meeting, led them to impose grid penalties rather than formal warnings. They also cited consistency with penalties for contact in practice in previous years.
Max Verstappen wins the Mexico City Grand Prix ahead of Lewis Hamilton as third-placed Kimi Antonelli clinches his first drivers’ title. At 20 years and 68 days, Antonelli becomes Formula 1’s youngest champion and its first Italian champion since 1953, giving Mercedes its 10th drivers’ title and first since 2020.
Verstappen called Lawson’s behavior “not very smart” and said Lawson had tried to drive him off the track at the hairpin. Lawson said over team radio that Verstappen “literally drove into me” after coming off the track.
Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane called the collision unnecessary for both drivers and said they could both do better.
Qualifying is scheduled for 31 October, with the race on 1 November 2026. The grid penalties will apply to the race, moving each driver back from his qualifying position; their starting places remain to be determined.
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