FIA Investigation of Verstappen and Lawson Following Mexican Grand Prix Practice Incident

Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson have both been called to appear before FIA stewards following an incident that occurred during the second practice session (FP2) for the Mexican Grand Prix. This unexpected turn of events was prompted by a collision between the two drivers, which resulted in a temporary red flag due to debris on the circuit.

Details of the Incident

During FP2, Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, attempted to overtake Lawson, who was piloting a junior Racing Bulls car, as they approached the stadium section of the track. Tensions escalated as Lawson maintained his position through Turn 13, leading Verstappen to express frustration with a wave of his hand.

As Verstappen re-entered the track after navigating a curb, the two cars collided. While Lawson’s car sustained damage necessitating a front wing change, Verstappen’s bargeboard was also hurt but remained operational. The incident warranted a short red flag period to allow track marshals to clear debris from the location.

FIA Response and Expert Opinion

The clash drew the attention of FIA stewards, who decided to escalate their response to a post-session investigation. Both drivers received summons to clarify their actions during the incident.

In light of the episode, Sky F1 analyst Bernie Collins—formerly of McLaren and Aston Martin—provided her insights. She emphasized that incidents like this can hinder a team’s performance over the weekend, noting, “From a pit wall, from a car, from a driver side, in an FP2 session to lose any component is the worst thing that can happen for you really.” Additionally, she conveyed that both drivers might reflect on their decisions with regret, questioning whether the corner was worth the resulting damage.

Practice Session Outcomes

At the conclusion of FP2, Verstappen recorded a fifth-place finish, trailing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by three-tenths of a second. In contrast, Lawson ended the session in ninth place, just narrowly behind his teammate, Arvid Lindblad.

As the weekend progresses, Verstappen seeks to bolster his chances for a runner-up finish in the Drivers’ Championship standings, while Lawson’s performance continues to influence the unconfirmed line-up for Racing Bulls in the 2027 Formula 1 season.