Verstappen, Lawson Penalised for Practice Collision

Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson were penalised for their collision during the second practice session at the Mexico Grand Prix. The incident, described as 'unacceptable' by stewards, resulted in damage to both cars and a brief red flag to clear debris from the track.

Verstappen and Lawson returned to the track for the second session after missing the first for rookie drivers. Verstappen attempted a move on Lawson into Turn 12, which led to a retaliatory action in the subsequent left-hand turn. This caused Verstappen's Red Bull to go over the kerb and make contact with Lawson's Racing Bulls car.

Both drivers admitted their actions were 'unnecessary' and 'clumsy'. Stewards, referencing similar incidents this year and a prior warning at the Team Managers meeting, upgraded the penalty from a formal warning to a grid position penalty. Verstappen called Lawson's actions 'not very smart behaviour', while Racing Bulls team boss Alan Permane described the incident as 'completely unnecessary'.

Despite the incident, Verstappen finished P5 and Lawson P9 in the session. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc led the timesheets, followed by McLaren's Lando Norris. Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli placed third and fourth, ahead of Verstappen and Isack Hadjar.