"Not Very Smart": Max Verstappen Slams Liam Lawson After Mexico GP Practice Clash

Max Verstappen labelled Red Bull stablemate Liam Lawson "not very smart" after the pair clashed during a heated battle in Friday's second practice session for the Mexico City Grand Prix. As Ferrari's Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets ahead of McLaren's world champion Lando Norris in an eventful session, Verstappen became involved in an incident with Lawson that left his car with minor damage. The Dutchman tangled with the Racing Bulls driver while the pair fought for track position heading into the Foro Sol section of the circuit. Debris from the contact brought out a red flag as marshals cleared the track.

After the session, Verstappen blamed Lawson for the collision.

"It was not unlucky," Verstappen said.

"It was not very smart behaviour by him in what he was trying to do there. But it is not going to change my weekend.

"I think it is just not very smart behaviour when you are fighting for your seat..."

Lawson has acknowledged uncertainty over his future, admitting this week that he does not know whether he will retain his place with Racing Bulls next season.

The New Zealander has nevertheless enjoyed an impressive campaign, including three appearances for Red Bull when Isack Hadjar was sidelined through injury.

Racing Bulls could opt to promote Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov, who on Friday became the first Bulgarian driver to participate in an official Formula One practice session after taking part in FP1.

Lawson has consistently outperformed rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad this year and said on Thursday that he was focused on delivering results rather than speculating about his future.

"Finding consistency in Formula One is hard, but I believe I've maximised a lot this year.

"I'm not really sure what more is expected, but I'm not sitting here thinking too much about the whole seat-selection thing.

"I overthought things last year, so I'm trying a different mindset this year and aiming to score as many points as I can."

Lawson sits ninth in the drivers' standings with 77 points, while Lindblad is 11th with 38. His performances have helped Racing Bulls climb to fifth in the constructors' championship behind Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren.

Lawson ended Friday's FP2 session in ninth place, while Verstappen was fifth behind the Mercedes pair of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

Antonelli, 20, remains on course to become Formula One's youngest world champion if he finishes in the top nine on Sunday.

Verstappen, a five-time winner in Mexico, admitted there was still room for improvement.

"It could have gone better, but we're not too far off and just have some fine-tuning to do.

"No one has much grip here, but it is the same for all of us and nothing new."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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