Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson will face grid penalties following an on-track FP2 clash at the Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix.
There was early drama for the Red Bull family in the second hour of practice at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, as former teammates collided. Verstappen was on the outside of Turn 13 when Lawson “forced him off” the circuit.
This, in turn, left the Dutchman to ride over the kerbs at Turn 14, where the pair inevitably made contact.
The incident left Verstappen’s RB22 with bargeboard damage, an issue that plagued the rest of his session in an already compromised practice.
Following the session, the stewards summoned both drivers to explain their actions before handing each a one-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race. In their official document, the stewards suggested that both drivers’ behaviour was “unacceptable.”
“The drivers of both cars behaved in a manner that was considered unacceptable by the Stewards. Particularly in view of the warning that had been given at the Team Managers’ meeting earlier this day,” read the statement.
The stewards acknowledged that both drivers considered the moves “unnecessary.” But pointed to similar incidents in previous practice sessions this season to justify the penalties.
“Both drivers admitted the moves were unnecessary and ‘clumsy.’
Noting that there had been similar incidents this year of actions between drivers in Free Practice, the Stewards have decided to escalate the penalty from that of a formal warning to a grid position penalty,”
The four-time World Champion criticised Lawson’s move following the incident. Verstappen admitted he couldn’t understand “what went through Liam’s head.” Ultimately questioning the Kiwi’s judgement, given his contract uncertainty.
“For me, it’s just not very smart behaviour when you’re in his position to pick a fight with me.”
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