Clash in the Stadium Section Disrupts Mexico City Grand Prix FP2
Track action at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez escalated quickly during Free Practice 2 ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix, with Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen and Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson coming together in the stadium section. The run-in between the two affiliated drivers resulted in car damage, debris on the circuit, and pointed remarks regarding driver judgment during a non-competitive session.
Both Verstappen and Lawson entered the one-hour Friday afternoon session under pressure to make up for lost time. Neither driver took part in Free Practice 1 earlier in the day, having ceded their machinery to young drivers as part of Formula 1 regulations. Ayumu Iwasa had taken over Verstappen’s Red Bull, while Nikola Tsolov made his rookie practice outing behind the wheel of Lawson’s Racing Bulls challenger.
On-Track Battle Results in Floor Damage and Red Flag
The incident began to unfold in the early stages of FP2 as Verstappen moved to overtake Lawson into Turn 12. Lawson resisted, attempting to fight back and re-pass the Dutchman into the subsequent left-hand turn winding through the stadium complex. During the close quarters racing, Verstappen’s car bounced aggressively over the exit kerb before rejoining alongside the New Zealander. The contact with the kerbs inflicted damage on the Red Bull floor, scattering debris across the racing line.
Race control briefly deployed a red flag to allow marshals to clear the loose fragments from the track. Following the stoppage, both competitors were able to resume running for the remainder of the session. Verstappen finished the hour classified in fifth place, while Lawson completed his day in ninth position.
Verstappen and Alan Permane React to Post-Session Stewards’ Review
Reflecting on the confrontation, Verstappen rejected the idea that the tangle was a simple racing misfortune. I don’t think it’s called unlucky,
said Verstappen when asked if it was just an unfortunate coming together. Maybe not very smart behaviour what he was trying to do there. At the end of the day, it’s not going to change my weekend but if I would be him, I would act a little bit smarter. Also when you’re fighting for your seat, it’s not very smart behaviour.
Stewards confirmed that the incident between Verstappen and Lawson would undergo a post-session investigation. Meanwhile, Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane expressed frustration with both individuals for allowing an intra-organization practice run to boil over. I think one word, just ‘unnecessary’ in a practice session. Completely unnecessary and I say that to both of them,
he said. I don’t know what Max has said, I haven’t heard anything, but I’m sure he’s got his opinion and I’m sure Liam has got his opinion but mine is, it’s just not needed and they can both do better.
Why This Matters
The friction between the two drivers comes at an intensely competitive juncture for the Red Bull junior program. Racing Bulls has yet to finalize its driver line-up for the 2027 season, leaving Lawson’s seat under active scrutiny. Compounding the situation, Nikola Tsolov demonstrated impressive pace during his maiden F1 appearance in FP1, finishing only a tenth of a second behind Arvid Lindblad and emerging as a potential contender for a full-time seat. With young talent knocking on the door, unforced incidents during practice sessions heighten the stakes for Lawson under the watchful eye of Red Bull management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the damage to Max Verstappen’s car during FP2?
Verstappen’s floor was damaged after he bounced over the kerb while trying to rejoin the circuit alongside Liam Lawson through the stadium complex, prompting a brief red flag to clean up debris.
Why did both Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson miss FP1 in Mexico?
Both regular drivers sat out the opening practice session to satisfy Formula 1 young driver testing duties, with Ayumu Iwasa driving for Red Bull and Nikola Tsolov piloting the Racing Bulls car.
Is Liam Lawson’s seat confirmed for the 2027 Formula 1 season?
No, Racing Bulls has not yet confirmed its driver line-up for the 2027 season, and young drivers like Nikola Tsolov are considered in contention for future seats within the team.
