Mexico City, October 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson have been handed grid penalties following a collision during the second practice session of the Mexico Grand Prix, with stewards describing their conduct as “unacceptable” and both drivers admitting that their moves were unnecessary and clumsy.
The incident occurred at Turn 12 when Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, attempted to pass Lawson of Racing Bulls. Lawson fought back at the following left-hand turn, forcing Verstappen over the kerb as the two cars rejoined alongside each other.
Both cars sustained damage, with Verstappen’s Red Bull suffering floor damage and Lawson’s car sustaining front-wing damage. Debris on the track prompted a brief red flag to allow officials to clear the circuit.
The stewards said Verstappen was on a preparation lap while Lawson was on a cooldown lap ahead of another push lap. They noted that both drivers had acted inappropriately, particularly after teams had been warned about such incidents during an earlier meeting.
Citing similar incidents during practice sessions this season, the stewards said they had decided to escalate the punishment from a formal warning to a grid-position penalty. They also referred to previous cases involving contact between cars during free practice.
Verstappen described the episode as the result of “not very smart behaviour” and suggested Lawson should have acted more cautiously, particularly while competing for his place in Formula One.
Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane called the incident “unnecessary” and said responsibility lay with both drivers.
Despite the collision, Verstappen finished fifth in the session, while Lawson was ninth.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped the second practice timings, ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris. Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli recorded the third and fourth-fastest times, followed by Verstappen and Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar.
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