That did not take long to boil over. Max Verstappen has branded Liam Lawson's driving "not very smart behaviour" after the two came together during Free Practice 2 ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Both drivers were rushing to catch up on lost running after missing the opening practice session, where their seats were handed over to Formula 1 young drivers Ayumu Iwasa and Nikola Tsolov. Eager to make up for lost time, the pair crossed paths during the early hot laps of FP2 when Verstappen attempted an overtake on the Racing Bulls machine into Turn 12.
I don't know what Max has said, I haven't heard anything, but I'm sure he's got his opinion and I'm sure Liam has got his opinion but mine is, it's just not needed and they can both do better.
Lawson tried to fight back immediately into the next left-hand turn through the stadium section. That move forced Verstappen over the kerb on the exit, and as the Red Bull bounced back onto the tarmac alongside the New Zealander, its floor suffered damage. A red flag had to be thrown briefly to clean up the debris, though both men made it to the end of the session with Verstappen landing P5 and Lawson taking P9.
When asked if it was simply a case of bad luck, Verstappen flatly rejected the idea. "I don't think it's called unlucky," he said. "Maybe not very smart behaviour what he was trying to do there. At the end of the day, it's not going to change my weekend but if I would be him, I would act a little bit smarter. Also when you're fighting for your seat, it's not very smart behaviour."
That seat pressure is very real. Racing Bulls have not yet locked in their line-up for the 2027 season, and Tsolov made his F1 debut this weekend during FP1—finishing just one-tenth slower than Arvid Lindblad and putting himself in potential contention for Lawson's drive.
Stewards launched a post-session investigation into the clash, and Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane did not spare either driver from criticism. "I think one word, just 'unnecessary' in a practice session. Completely unnecessary and I say that to both of them," he stated. "I don't know what Max has said, I haven't heard anything, but I'm sure he's got his opinion and I'm sure Liam has got his opinion but mine is, it's just not needed and they can both do better."
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