Verstappen tells Lawson to consider his position after Mexico practice clash

Max Verstappen has renewed his criticism of Liam Lawson after their practice collision at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix. He said the Racing Bulls driver should not pick a fight with him while fighting for his seat.

The Red Bull driver spoke to Viaplay after final practice, before the race. The stewards had found both men at fault for the second-practice clash and handed each a one-place grid penalty.

The pair had run wheel to wheel before coming together in the stadium section. Verstappen lost part of his bargeboard, while Lawson damaged his front wing. Verstappen had criticised Lawson immediately after the incident.

Verstappen said he would not let anyone push him off the track and that drivers within the Red Bull family were taught to show a lot of respect for the senior team. He said he had not driven Red Bull drivers off the track during his own time at Toro Rosso. His advice to Lawson was: “Just think logically about the situation you are in.”

Verstappen also said he got on well with Lawson and had always supported him and spoken positively about him within the team. Lawson had been demoted from Red Bull to Racing Bulls after two grands prix as Verstappen’s team-mate in 2025, a setback Verstappen described as unfortunate.