Here's the thing about Formula 1 practice sessions: drivers are supposed to be sorting their own machinery, not picking fights on a hot lap. As Motorsport.com reports, four-time world champion Max Verstappen had some exceptionally direct words for Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson after the pair made contact during Friday's second practice session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Talk about a completely unnecessary mess. Both drivers were out on flying laps when they tangled on track, prompting Verstappen to immediately question his rival's judgment. When asked if the clash was just a stroke of bad luck, the Red Bull Racing star didn't mince words about what he saw out there.
"Well, I don't think it's called unlucky. Maybe not very smart behaviour, what he was trying to do there," Verstappen explained to Sky Sports F1, adding that while the incident wouldn't ruin his own weekend, the Kiwi needs to act differently given his career situation.
Delving further into the specifics of the incident with media, the Dutchman laid out exactly how the encounter unfolded from his cockpit. Verstappen noted that he was on a fast out-lap due to earlier issues and was pushing hard when he encountered the slow-moving machine ahead of him.
"I was on a fast out-lap because I had some little issues. So I was pushing on quite a bit. He was driving really slow. So I was like, all right, let's go for it. But 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 and that happened, 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 consequences of that afternoon meeting on tarmac are still developing. Lawson has been summoned to the stewards for driving erratically during the session, though no final decision has been released yet.
Looking at the broader championship picture, the stakes are real for everyone involved. Verstappen currently sits fourth in the drivers' standings with 236 points, while Lawson holds ninth with 77 points alongside his rookie team-mate Arvid Lindblad, who is 11th with 38 points. Meanwhile, Lawson's contract with the Red Bull sister team runs through the end of 2026.
F1
F1
F1
