Mexico City GP 2026: Lawson disqualified, penalised

Liam Lawson lost his Mexico City Grand Prix qualifying result and also took a grid penalty, while Max Verstappen was penalised after their practice clash.

Liam Lawson’s Mexico City Grand Prix weekend changed again when he was disqualified from qualifying, removing the ninth-place result he had secured for Racing Bulls. Formula1.com reported the disqualification on Saturday, while Autosport and Motorsport.com reported that Lawson lost his ninth-place starting spot after qualifying.

That decision was separate from Friday’s practice incident. BBC Sport, Autosport, Motorsport.com and RaceFans reported that Lawson and Max Verstappen were both given grid penalties after their collision in practice at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. BBC Sport and Motorsport.com also reported that Verstappen criticised Lawson after the clash, while RaceFans reported that Lawson later apologised.

Lawson came into the event ninth in the 2026 drivers’ championship on 77 points. Verstappen, fourth on 236 points before the weekend, had 71 wins from 242 Formula 1 starts going into Mexico City.