Verstappen and Lawson Hit with Grid Penalties After 'Unacceptable' Mexico City GP Practice Collision

Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson will both start one place lower on the grid at the Mexico City Grand Prix after stewards deemed their collision during second practice 'unacceptable.' The incident, which occurred at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, saw the two drivers make contact on track, prompting an immediate investigation. Officials ruled that both drivers bore responsibility for the clash, resulting in equal one-grid spot penalties for Sunday's race. The penalties add an extra challenge for Verstappen, who is fighting to maintain his championship lead, while Lawson faces a setback in his bid to impress during his limited F1 appearances. The decision underscores the FIA's stricter stance on practice incidents, emphasizing that even non-race sessions carry consequences. With the grid now shuffled, both drivers will need to work harder to recover positions in what is expected to be a tightly contested race at high altitude. The ruling serves as a clear reminder that on-track discipline is non-negotiable.