Mexico 2026: Verstappen, Lawson get grid penalties

Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson received grid penalties after a Friday practice collision in Mexico, with Verstappen later criticising the Racing Bulls driver.

Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson received grid penalties after their collision in Friday practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix, as reported by BBC Sport, Autosport, Motorsport.com and RaceFans. Those reports said the incident took place in second practice in the stadium section of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, around Turn 12 in Foro Sol.

BBC Sport, Motorsport.com and RaceFans reported that Verstappen criticised Lawson after the session. RaceFans said Verstappen told Lawson to act smarter, while BBC Sport and Motorsport.com reported he described the move as not smart. Autosport reported that stewards penalised both drivers after the clash.

Verstappen went into the weekend fourth in the 2026 drivers' championship on 236 points. The Red Bull driver had 242 Formula 1 starts, 71 wins, 51 poles and 129 podiums from 2015 to 2026, while Lawson was ninth on 77 points with 44 starts across the 2023-2026 seasons.