Verstappen and Lawson summoned to stewards after Mexico practice collision

Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson were summoned to the stewards after colliding during second practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix on Friday, BBC Sport reported. The incident brought criticism from Verstappen towards the Racing Bulls driver, while Lawson's team principal, Alan Permane, said both men should have avoided the confrontation. The BBC report did not include a stewards' ruling.

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The contact occurred in the stadium section near the end of the lap. Verstappen and Lawson travelled alongside each other through three corners before their cars struck side-on. Verstappen accused Lawson of accelerating as he approached and trying to force him off the circuit at the hairpin. Those claims were the Red Bull driver's account of the clash, rather than a finding by officials.

Permane took a broader view, describing the incident as unnecessary for both drivers and saying each could have handled it better. He said he had not heard Verstappen's comments when giving his assessment. Verstappen, meanwhile, questioned Lawson's judgement and linked his criticism to the uncertainty surrounding the New Zealander's place on next season's grid.

According to BBC Sport, Lawson is competing with Racing Bulls team-mate Arvid Lindblad and Formula 2 driver Nikola Tsolov for two seats next year. Lawson previously spent two races alongside Verstappen at Red Bull at the start of 2025 before returning to the junior team. He also deputised for Isack Hadjar for three races this year after the Frenchman broke his wrist.

The incident came during a session led by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who was fastest in both Friday practices. Leclerc finished 0.103 seconds ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris in the second session, with Mercedes driver George Russell another 0.003 seconds behind. Kimi Antonelli was fourth, 0.217 seconds away from Leclerc, followed by Verstappen and Hadjar in the two Red Bulls.

Lawson ended the session ninth, with Lindblad seventh and Alpine's Pierre Gasly between the Racing Bulls drivers. Oscar Piastri completed the top 10 for McLaren. Lewis Hamilton was 11th after a technical problem stopped his Ferrari on track before he could complete his soft-tyre qualifying simulations, leaving the team with contrasting outcomes despite Leclerc's pace.