Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson collided during the second free practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, triggering a red flag as debris scattered across the Foro Sol stadium section. The incident occurred as Verstappen approached on a fast lap behind the Racing Bulls driver, who was on an out-lap.
Contact at the Foro Sol Stadium
The clash unfolded during Friday afternoon practice at the Mexico City circuit. Verstappen caught up to Lawson’s Racing Bulls machine through the slow stadium section of the track just before the start-finish straight. According to trackside accounts, the two cars nearly touched through the Esses before making direct contact as they exited the stadium complex. Verstappen sustained damage after being forced wide and attempting to fight back against the New Zealander’s defensive line, leaving carbon fiber and other fragments strewn across the racing line. Formula 1 race control immediately halted the session with a red flag, suspending track activity for several minutes while marshals cleared the debris.
WOAH! 😨This is the moment where Verstappen and Lawson go wheel-to-wheel in FP2, and make contact! 💥#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/edY5rY0h7E
WOAH! 😨 This is the moment where Verstappen and Lawson go wheel-to-wheel in FP2, and make contact! 💥 #F1 #MexicoGP
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 30, 2026
Heated Radio Exchanges
Frustration boiled over on team radios immediately after the impact. Verstappen gestured angrily from the cockpit while delivering a furious verbal rebuke to his former Red Bull stablemate over the team channel. Lawson defended his position from the Faenza-based garage, complaining over the radio that the four-time world champion had come into him. Lawson stated over team radio that the driver had come into him and did so literally, like every weekend. Management from both Red Bull and Racing Bulls faced post-session meetings to address the intra-family collision.
Next Track Session
The Formula 1 paddock resumes track action with the third free practice session ahead of qualifying at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
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