Verstappen Doubles Down on Lawson Criticism: 'That Doesn't Happen to Me'

Max Verstappen has doubled down on his criticism of Liam Lawson after the pair collided in second practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix, insisting he will not be pushed around by a driver fighting for his future.

Both were summoned to the stewards at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez and handed one-place grid penalties for an incident the officials described as "unacceptable." Verstappen lost a piece of bargeboard from his RB22 in the stadium section, while Lawson's Racing Bulls picked up front-wing damage after the two ran wheel-to-wheel.

Why it matters:

The flashpoint carries more weight than a typical practice skirmish. Verstappen rarely feuds publicly with junior drivers, and his remarks about Lawson's precarious seat land in the middle of a driver market where Red Bull's pool is under constant scrutiny.

The details:

• Verstappen pointed an accusing finger immediately after the contact, calling it "not very smart behaviour."
• Speaking to Viaplay after final practice, he said: "You're fighting for your seat, so you definitely shouldn't be picking a fight with me."
• He stressed he has "always supported" Lawson and spoken positively about him inside the team.
• He also referenced Lawson's 2025 demotion, when the New Zealander lasted just two grands prix as Verstappen's teammate before returning to Racing Bulls. "It sucked for him last year," Verstappen said.
• His closing line was blunt: "I'm really not a difficult person... I just won't let anyone push me off the track. That doesn't happen to me."

Between the lines:

The stewards split the blame, but Verstappen's framing does not. By casting himself as a long-time ally who was repaid with aggression, he puts the pressure squarely on Lawson — a driver who can least afford a reputation for tangling with the four-time champion.

What's next:

Both drivers carry their grid drops into Sunday's race, and the paddock will be watching how Lawson responds on track — and whether Red Bull's hierarchy weighs in.