Verstappen warns seat-threatened Lawson after FP2 collision at Mexican GP

Max Verstappen delivered a pointed public rebuke to Liam Lawson after the pair made contact during second practice at the Mexican Grand Prix on Friday, with the four-time world champion warning the Racing Bulls driver that picking a fight with him was reckless given his precarious contract situation.

Both drivers were on flying laps at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez when the collision occurred. Verstappen was unambiguous about where he placed the blame. “I don’t think it’s called unlucky. Maybe not very smart behaviour, what he was trying to do there,” he said. “At the end of the day it’s not going to change my weekend, but if I were him I would act a little bit smarter. Also, when you’re fighting for your seat, it’s not very smart behaviour.”

Verstappen elaborated further in a post-session media briefing. He explained that he had been pushing hard on a fast out-lap after encountering minor technical issues when he caught Lawson moving slowly ahead. “As soon as he saw me arrive, he started to speed up as well,” Verstappen said. “I don’t know what was going through his head — trying to just run me off the track. For me, it’s just not very smart behaviour when you’re in his position to pick a fight with me.”

The remark carries particular weight given Lawson’s standing within the Red Bull programme. His contract with Racing Bulls expires at the end of 2026, and the team’s junior structure is well stocked with talent. Rookie team-mate Arvid Lindblad, who joined the team this season, currently sits 11th in the drivers’ standings with 38 points, while Lawson is ninth with 77. Verstappen, by contrast, is fourth overall with 236 points.

Lawson was summoned to the stewards for driving erratically during FP2, though no decision had been issued at the time the session concluded. Whether the stewards’ findings add further pressure on the New Zealander ahead of qualifying remains to be seen.