Liam Lawson Questions FIA Decision After 'Predictable' Max Verstappen Crash

Liam Lawson has questioned the FIA's decision to run a lap behind the safety car before a standing start at the Dutch Grand Prix, calling the move "no sense" after it set up a “predictable” Max Verstappen crash. Changeable conditions left the final two corners wet, and the unusual procedure meant drivers started with colder tyres than usual.

Why it matters:

The incident highlights the tricky balance between safety and competition under mixed conditions. The FIA's attempt to make the start safer may have actually increased risk by leaving tyres too cold, and the resulting crash could force a rethink of similar protocols.

The details:

• Lawson argued the combination of a safety car lap and a standing start is logically inconsistent, a feeling he says many drivers shared before the race.
• He described the track as "impossible" — the first half dry, the last two corners "completely soaked."
• The crash: Verstappen lost control at the final corner and hit the wall, an outcome Lawson saw coming. He said he lifted himself to "I really lifted out of it because I honestly had no confidence in how much grip I was going to have."
• Lawson's weekend: Back in the Red Bull seat, he finished P7, scoring his first points for the team. He admitted the car was "completely different" to the Racing Bulls, with driver comfort adjustments making it a challenging weekend.

What's next:

Lawson now sits ninth in the standings and aims to convert this solid result into a consistent run. For the FIA, the bigger question remains how to manage wet starts safely without creating new risks. The team and drivers will likely expect a review before the next wet weekend arrives.