FIA Warned Teams to Calm Driver Conduct Before Verstappen-Lawson FP2 Clash

The FIA warned all 11 team managers to control driver conduct before Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson collided in FP2 at the Mexico City Grand Prix, Karun Chandhok has revealed. The Turn 14 contact caused a red flag and earned both drivers a one-place grid penalty and a penalty point. Chandhok said stewards told teams that morning to "ask your drivers to behave in free practice" and warned penalties would follow.

Why it matters:

The clash showed how fast track-position fights escalate in low-stakes sessions, and it signalled a firmer FIA stance on practice conduct. Stewards have often let FP incidents pass; now aggressive driving can carry grid consequences.

The details:

• Chandhok said on Sky Sports F1 that Verstappen's engineer told him to get ahead of Lawson for track position.
• Lawson refused to yield at the hairpin and came back down the inside; Verstappen, annoyed, went beyond the track edge and made contact on exit.
• Chandhok called it "unnecessary" and "clumsy" for FP2, while saying both drivers played a part.
• The warning followed recent incidents, including Charles Leclerc and George Russell in Austin.
• Haas withdrew Esteban Ocon after a radio disagreement with engineer Laura Mueller over a run-plan change; Ryo Hirakawa replaced him, with no formal explanation beyond confirming it was not illness.

What's next:

The penalties set a clearer benchmark: practice clashes can now affect the grid. Drivers will have to manage aggression in FP with the same care as qualifying.