Verstappen Hits Out at Lawson as Racing Bulls Call FP2 Clash 'Unnecessary'

Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson turned a routine Friday practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix into a flashpoint, with Verstappen calling Lawson’s defending “not very smart behaviour” after their FP2 collision. Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane pushed back, describing the incident as unnecessary and defending his driver as the stewards reviewed the clash.

Why it matters:

The exchange adds tension to a weekend already shaped by Ferrari’s pace. Charles Leclerc swept both Friday sessions, backing up his FP1 benchmark in FP2, while Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari run was disrupted by a stoppage. For Red Bull, the Lawson row is a distraction; for Racing Bulls, it is another test of how firmly it protects its line-up.

The details:

• Leclerc topped FP1 and FP2 for Ferrari, giving the Scuderia the early Mexico City advantage.
• Verstappen and Lawson collided in FP2; Verstappen questioned Lawson’s awareness, while Permane called the contact unnecessary.
• Hamilton suffered a practice stoppage after a sharp Ferrari instruction, leaving his Friday compromised.
• Colton Herta’s superlicence status caused confusion after Cadillac suggested he was closer to eligibility than he actually is.
• Martin Brundle called the prospect of Lawson and Arvid Lindblad missing out on Racing Bulls seats “very cruel” amid speculation about Nikola Tsolov for 2027.

What’s next:

The stewards’ verdict will set the tone for the rest of the weekend. Leclerc looks the man to beat so far, but Red Bull’s focus may first have to shift from pace to damage control.