Verstappen on his incident with Lawson: “Not very smart behaviour”

Written by Bo Helmus

The former teammates got together on track | Credit: Formula One

Formula One is back in Mexico City for what should be an exciting race. The drivers' championship will most likely be decided here, but apart from first place, there is all to fight for. 

With tensions rising, drivers are keen to make as much of their track time as possible. It wasn't too ideal that 10 rookies took to the wheel in the first practice session. That meant Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson had to sit out the first practice session. 

Ayumu Iwasa drove for Red Bull and Nikola Tsolov sat in the Racing Bull. Both of these rookies impressed with quick times. Iwasa was quicker than Hadjar by almost half a second, and Tsolov was only a tenth behind Lindblad.

The rookie drivers impressed in the first practice session, so much so that Lawson is unsure about his future in the sport | Credit: Formula One

In the afternoon session, the drivers that weren’t allowed on track in the morning had to make up for lost time. Trying to get quicker laps in, Verstappen overtook his former teammate Lawson into turn 12. 

The New Zealander, still unsure about his future at the team and threatened by Tsolov’s impressive practice time, wanted to switch back in the stadium, pushing the Dutchman wide over the kerbs. The Red Bull bounced back onto the track, colliding with the Racing Bull. 

Verstappen damaged his floor, and Lawson his front wing. A red flag was needed to clean up the debris on the track. The stewards decided both drivers should be punished, and handed them both a one-place grid drop. 

Verstappen is on a podium streak and can’t afford the grid drop | Credit: Formula One

 "I don't think it's called unlucky,” said Verstappen, under the impression that it wasn’t his fault. “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."

Alan Permane, team principal of Racing Bulls, thinks both drivers should’ve known better: "I think one word, just unnecessary in a practice session. Completely unnecessary and I say that to both of them.

"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."