Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson have each been dropped one place on the starting grid for the Mexican Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The penalties stem from an incident during qualifying where Lawson reported that Verstappen "drove into me," according to team radio communications.
The Dutch driver, competing for Oracle Red Bull Racing, arrived at the Mexico City circuit on Saturday ahead of the race scheduled for October 31, 2026. Both drivers will start one position lower than their qualifying results would have placed them.
Grid Penalties Applied
The stewards' decision affects the starting order for Sunday's Mexican Grand Prix, the 20th round of the 2026 Formula One World Championship. Verstappen, a multiple world champion, and Lawson, the New Zealand-born driver, will need to recover positions during the race at the high-altitude venue.
