Red Bull and Racing Bulls endured a turbulent Friday at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, with Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson both receiving one-place grid penalties following a collision in FP2, while Isack Hadjar was filmed repeatedly pushing a fan in the paddock. The two separate incidents raised questions about discipline and the atmosphere within the Red Bull organisation, as uncertainty over Racing Bulls’ 2027 driver line-up continues.
Friday’s practice sessions at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez exposed tensions involving both teams owned by the Austrian energy drinks company. An off-track confrontation involving Isack Hadjar was followed by an unnecessary on-track battle between Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson in the Foro Sol stadium section. Both incidents had immediate consequences and added to the questions surrounding the atmosphere within the Red Bull family.
Isack Hadjar filmed pushing fan in Mexico GP paddock
Isack Hadjar was involved in an unpleasant incident in the Mexico City paddock when he was filmed pushing a supporter who had approached him to request a photograph. Footage that quickly circulated on social media shows the French driver indicating that he did not want to interact with the fan before repeatedly pushing the person away.
The behaviour drew criticism, particularly given the expectations placed on Formula 1 drivers when interacting with supporters. Fan access is an established part of the sport’s relationship with its audience, and the physical response was viewed as inappropriate. A verbal refusal or simply stepping aside would have been preferable to pushing someone away.
The incident also raised concerns about Isack Hadjar’s ability to manage frustration following a difficult practice session. Drivers competing at this level are expected to maintain their composure even when under pressure, and the Frenchman’s response suggested that this remains an area in which he needs to improve.
Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson collide during Mexico GP FP2
The second incident occurred on track during Friday’s second free practice session, when Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson made contact in the stadium section of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The Red Bull driver attempted to overtake the Racing Bulls car on the inside at Turn 12, but Liam Lawson maintained his position. The pair remained alongside each other through the following corners before making contact at Turn 14.
The collision scattered debris across the circuit and forced race control to interrupt the session with a red flag. It was an unnecessary confrontation during free practice, when neither driver was competing for championship points and both were expected to concentrate on their respective programmes.
The stewards subsequently investigated the incident and considered the behaviour of both drivers unacceptable. Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson acknowledged that their manoeuvres had been unnecessary and clumsy, while officials also took into account warnings previously issued to the teams and comparable incidents earlier in the season.
As a result, both drivers received a one-place grid penalty for Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix, together with one penalty point on their respective Superlicences. The sanctions underline the seriousness with which the stewards viewed an avoidable collision during a practice session.
Max Verstappen criticises Liam Lawson’s judgement and F1 future
After the session, Max Verstappen made his frustration clear, questioning Liam Lawson’s decision to continue the battle and referring directly to the New Zealander’s uncertain future in Formula 1. His comments were particularly pointed given that the two drivers compete for teams belonging to the same organisation.
“Maybe it wasn’t very smart behaviour on his part. At the end of the day, it won’t change my weekend, but if I were in his position, I would act a little more intelligently. And when you’re fighting for your seat, it’s not very smart behaviour,” Max Verstappen said.
The remarks placed additional attention on Liam Lawson’s position within Racing Bulls. With competition for the team’s two seats in 2027 still unresolved, the New Zealander faces uncertainty about his future, and the confrontation in Mexico came at a particularly sensitive moment.
It is plausible that Liam Lawson has received, or at least strongly perceived, signals concerning his future with the team. Persistent rumours suggest Racing Bulls is seriously considering Nikola Tsolov as a potential replacement for 2027. The Bulgarian driver’s participation in the opening practice session, together with the ongoing competition for the junior team’s two seats, has contributed to an atmosphere of uncertainty.
That pressure may have influenced Liam Lawson’s decision not to yield during an otherwise routine practice session. However, the connection between his contractual situation and his actions on track remains a possible explanation rather than an established fact.
Red Bull and Racing Bulls share responsibility for unnecessary collision
Although Max Verstappen criticised Liam Lawson’s judgement, the four-time world champion could also have backed off. During a free practice session, particularly when competing alongside a driver from another team within the same organisation, protecting the cars and avoiding unnecessary risks should have taken priority.
Instead, both drivers persisted with a battle that had little sporting value and ultimately resulted in damage and penalties. The responsibility was shared, as reflected in the drivers’ admissions and the stewards’ decision to sanction both competitors.
The incident adds another complication to a period in which Red Bull has already faced questions about its execution on track. Following the United States Grand Prix, Max Verstappen demanded answers from Red Bull over decisions made during the Austin weekend, while technical problems involving the car and power unit also affected his performance.
Mexico GP incidents highlight tensions within the Red Bull organisation
Friday’s events highlighted tensions extending beyond a single incident. Isack Hadjar’s confrontation with a fan, the collision between Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson, and speculation surrounding the New Zealander’s future together paint a picture of nervousness and difficulties managing pressure within the Red Bull organisation.
The incidents do not necessarily indicate a wider breakdown in relations between the two teams, but they have brought questions about judgement, discipline and internal pressure into sharper focus. The penalties for Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson also mean that their confrontation will have consequences beyond Friday’s interrupted practice session.
The remainder of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend will reveal whether these tensions remain confined to the paddock and Friday’s events or have a further impact on the teams’ performances on track.
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