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Verstappen and Lawson Each Given One-Place Grid Penalty for Mexico City Grand Prix Practice Collision

Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson will each drop one place from their qualifying positions for Sunday's Mexico City Grand Prix after stewards found both drivers at fault for their collision in Friday practice.

By admin Oct. 31, 2026 · 3:46 PM ET 2 min read

Two open-wheel race cars racing side by side on a track in front of grandstands

Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson have each been given a one-place grid penalty for Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix after colliding during Friday practice in Mexico. The stewards found both drivers equally to blame, and each driver also received one penalty point on his super licence.

An empty race track curving through a large stadium grandstand section on a sunny day

The incident happened in the stadium section during the second practice session. Verstappen tried to pass Lawson on the inside of Turn 12, and the pair went wheel to wheel through the next two corners. They made contact after Verstappen went off track and rejoined, according to TSN.

The stewards’ verdict said the drivers of both cars behaved in a manner that was considered unacceptable, particularly in view of a warning given at the team managers’ meeting earlier that day. Both drivers admitted the moves were unnecessary and clumsy, the verdict said. Each will drop one place from wherever he qualifies for Sunday’s race.

Verstappen criticizes Lawson, team boss calls it unnecessary

Verstappen, the four-time world champion, criticized Lawson’s driving after the session. “I don’t think it’s called unlucky. Maybe not very smart behaviour, what he was trying to do there,” Verstappen said. “But if I were him, I would act a little bit smarter. Also, when you’re fighting for your seat, it’s not very smart behaviour.” Lawson has yet to secure a contract to keep racing with Racing Bulls next season, according to TSN.

Mechanics in dark uniforms working on an open-wheel race car inside a pit garage

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane said the contact was completely unnecessary and that both drivers were on an out lap or a cool-down lap at the time. “I don’t think there was anything malicious there,” Permane said. “Neither want it to happen, both drivers are undoubtedly frustrated about it.”

A black-and-white checkered flag waving above a race track at sunset

Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets in both Friday practice sessions, according to Crash.net’s live coverage. Final practice and qualifying take place on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s race, so the penalties will apply once qualifying sets the starting order.

Reporting based on coverage by TSN and Crash.net.

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