Max Verstappen has warned Liam Lawson over his Formula 1 future after the pair collided during practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix. Verstappen labelled the 24-year-old's behaviour "not very smart" following the incident at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
The collision happened when both drivers were on timed laps and neither was willing to back out through the tight stadium section. The impact sent broken carbon fibre tumbling across the track, although the session was not competitive.
Driver reactions
Lawson fumed over the radio: "He just drove into me, man. He literally just drove into me. Every weekend he plays this game."
Verstappen, speaking to reporters later, was quick to assert his position at Red Bull. He said: "I don't think it was unlucky, maybe not-very-smart behaviour, what he was trying to do there. At the end of the day, it's not going to change my weekend but, if I were him, I would be acting a little bit smarter. Also, when you're fighting for your seat, it's not very smart behaviour."
Lawson's seat under threat
Lawson has had a strong season but has yet to secure a place on next year's grid. Racing Bulls face a three-into-two situation, with British rookie Arvid Lindblad and Formula 2 title contender Nikola Tsolov also in contention.
Bulgarian Tsolov, 19, took over Lawson's car for first practice on Friday and was immediately competitive, showing Red Bull bosses he could be ready for an F1 promotion. The Verstappens have huge sway over decisions at Red Bull, meaning Lawson would do well not to make an enemy of the Dutchman.
Bottas and Cadillac uncertainty
Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas is fighting for his Formula One future with Cadillac assessing their options. The Finn signed a multi-year deal to join the sport's newest team, but they are considering cutting ties after their first season.
Bottas is a 10-time race-winner from five seasons as Lewis Hamilton's team-mate at Mercedes, but his race pace has been lacking. While team-mate Sergio Perez has landed a new deal, Cadillac are considering cutting him short.
Nine-time IndyCar race-winner Colton Herta is the front-runner for the seat despite a disastrous F2 season. He still does not have a superlicence to race in F1 after Cadillac miscalculated his total – they thought his FP1 appearance on Friday would get him to the 40 he needs, but the FIA says he still only has 39.
Herta, 26, quit IndyCar for this shot and said he is keen to get his chance "as soon as possible". "I want to be in Formula One – that's the goal, that's why I'm over here doing this," the American said after his stint in Mexico City on Friday.
Another strong candidate is Mercedes test and reserve driver Frederik Vesti. The Dane races for Cadillac in the IMSA sportscar championship as part of the team which won the constructors' title this year. He also has a key role in developing the Mercedes car Kimi Antonelli is likely to drive on Sunday and was impressively third fastest in his own FP1 cameo on Friday.
Vesti, 24, finished runner-up in F2 back in 2023 but has never had the chance to race in F1. He wants to change that next year and said: "There's no doubt I've got my eyes on that seat and it would be such a privilege to step into it."
