Miami Grand Prix 2026: Pierre Gasly’s Alpine Flipped Upside Down After Collision with Liam Lawson
Miami Gardens, Florida — The Miami Grand Prix 2026 will be remembered for more than just Kimi Antonelli’s dominant victory. In a dramatic early-lap incident, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly was flipped upside down after contact with Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson, forcing both drivers to retire. Gasly emerged uninjured, but the collision sent shockwaves through the field and raised questions about the safety of the opening laps.
The Incident: Gasly’s Alpine Flipped After Contact with Lawson
On Lap 5, Gasly lined up a pass on Lawson at Turn 17, prompting the Racing Bulls driver to lose control. The contact sent Gasly’s Alpine into a mid-air flip before it crashed into the barriers. Both drivers retired from the race, with Lawson later citing a gearbox issue as a contributing factor.
It sucks for both of us. I was trying to get around him and I lost the gearbox. It’s not a great feeling to have to retire like that.Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
It was a particularly violent crash. I was lucky to walk away without any injuries.Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Race Impact and Standings
The incident occurred early in the race, but the outcome was decisive. Kimi Antonelli went on to win, extending his championship lead to 20 points over George Russell. The top five finishers were:
- 1st Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 25 points
- 2nd Lando Norris (McLaren) – 18 points
- 3rd Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 15 points
- 4th George Russell (Mercedes) – 12 points
- 5th Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – 10 points
Gasly finished 13th after his early retirement, while Lawson did not complete the race. The incident did not alter the championship standings but underscored the physical demands of Formula 1.
Official Statements and Next Steps
Both drivers addressed the collision post-race. Lawson admitted to a gearbox failure, while Gasly confirmed he was unhurt but acknowledged the need for Alpine to review their car’s safety protocols.
Alpine definitely need some answers after this weekend. We’ve had a tough time, but we’ll preserve pushing forward.Pierre Gasly, Alpine
The next race on the calendar is the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, where Gasly and Lawson will look to bounce back from their Miami misfortunes.
Key Takeaways
- Safety First: Gasly walked away uninjured, but the incident highlighted the risks of early-lap collisions in F1.
- No Standings Impact: The retirement did not affect the championship battle, with Antonelli maintaining a commanding lead.
- Technical Issues: Lawson’s gearbox failure suggests potential reliability concerns for Racing Bulls.
- Next Race Focus: Alpine and Racing Bulls will aim to address their issues before Imola.
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