Kieran is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs and feature content across the F1 calendar. An NQJ-qualified journalist with more than a decade of experience, he has previously written for publications including MailOnline, the Manchester Evening News and the Eastern Daily Press.
Max Verstappen accused Liam Lawson of trying to run him off the track after they collided during FP2 for the Mexico City Grand Prix, as he warned his teammate that it was “not very smart behaviour” to pick a fight with him.
The four-time world champion dived down the inside of Lawson into Turn 12 and the pair almost make contact. The pair then decided to carry on going side by side through the next sequence of corners, before making contact at Turn 14, causing damage to Verstappen's barge board and bringing out the red flag for debris.
Speaking after the session, Verstappen questioned the motive behind Lawson's battle with him, feeling the driver in Red Bull's sister team shouldn't have picked a fight with him.
“I was on a fast out lap because I had some little issues. So I was pushing on quite a bit, he was driving really slow. So I was like, alright, let’s go for it,” Verstappen said.
“But as soon as he saw me arrive, he started to speed up as well. And yeah, I didn’t know what was going through his head in that hairpin trying to run me off the track,” he continued.
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The Dutchman then delivered a pointed warning to Lawson, questioning the wisdom of becoming embroiled in a confrontation with him.
“For me it’s not very smart behaviour when you’re in this position to pick a fight with me.”
Verstappen and Lawson under investigation
Photo: FOM
Both drivers have been called up to face the stewards after the conclusion of FP2 in Mexico City.
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Lawson was also not happy with Verstappen saying over the team radio: "He just drove into me, bro, like, he literally drove into me. Every weekend."
The incident was initially noted by the stewards and is now under investigation. The two drivers have been summoned to appear before the stewards at 17:45 local time (23:45 UK time).
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