Lawson disqualified after technical breach as both he and Verstappen penalised for practice clash

Liam Lawson has been disqualified from the Mexico City Grand Prix qualifying after a breach of the FIA’s minimum MGU‑K power‑reduction rule, and both he and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen were each handed a one‑place grid penalty for a clash in Friday practice. The New Zealander had set an eighth‑fastest time in qualifying and would have started ninth after the grid penalty, but stewards ruled his failure to lift off engine power immediately after the control line violated the mandated step‑down rate, resulting in a move to the back of the grid. The incident in practice occurred in the stadium section when Verstappen was on a flying lap and Lawson was on a cool‑down lap; their cars ran side‑by‑side through three corners before hitting side‑on at the hairpin. The FIA stewards found both drivers at fault, called the behaviour “unacceptable,” and issued the unusual sporting penalty for a practice infringement. Verstappen called Lawson’s move “not very smart” and said the New Zealander tried to drive him off the track, adding that such “clumsy” actions would not affect his own weekend. Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane labelled the manoeuvres “unnecessary” for both drivers and urged them to improve. Lawson is currently battling Arvid Lindblad and F2 frontrunner Nikola Tsolov for two Racing Bulls seats next season, after serving as Verstappen’s substitute earlier in the year. Max Verstappen, the four‑time champion, had already claimed two victories in the 2026 campaign. In the same session, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped the times, 0.103 s ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris, with Mercedes’ George Russell just 0.003 s slower. Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli was fourth fastest, 0.217 s off the pace, ahead of both Red Bulls, and entered Sunday’s race needing only a ninth‑place finish to secure his first world title. Lewis Hamilton retired early after a technical issue, while Russell warned that Ferrari looked strongest on the high‑altitude circuit.

Context

The MGU‑K rule forces drivers to reduce electric boost at a set rate after each lap; breaching it is treated as a technical infraction regardless of performance gain. Grid penalties for practice incidents are rare, highlighting the stewards’ strict stance on on‑track conduct.