Max Verstappen criticized Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson as "not very smart" after the two collided during Friday practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix. The four-time world champion claimed Lawson tried to drive him off the track at the hairpin. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets, ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris, while Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli finished fourth.
Antonelli is poised to clinch his first world title on Sunday, with only a win by George Russell or Lewis Hamilton able to stop him. Verstappen and Lawson clashed in the stadium section, with both drivers called to stewards, though no significant penalty is expected. Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane called the incident "unnecessary" for both drivers.
Lawson, who previously partnered Verstappen at Red Bull, is fighting for one of two remaining seats at Racing Bulls for next season. Leclerc was 0.103 seconds faster than Norris, with Russell just 0.003 seconds further back. Antonelli was 0.217 seconds off the pace, while Lewis Hamilton finished 11th after a technical issue.
Race simulation runs suggested a one-stop strategy would be optimal for Sunday's Grand Prix.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing