Liam Lawson disqualified from Mexico City qualifying

Liam Lawson qualified eighth in Saturday’s Mexican Grand Prix qualifying, but stewards later disqualified him because his car failed to meet the MGU‑K power‑reduction rules. The technical check found that after he crossed the control line, the MGU‑K did not lower its power fast enough, breaching the minimum rate set by the regulations. Lawson had already been handed a one‑place grid penalty for a collision with Max Verstappen in Friday’s free practice. With the disqualification, he will start the race from the back of the field, even though the stewards have allowed him to take the start. The decision removes him from the provisional qualifying order and moves other drivers up.

MGU‑K breach discovered

A technical delegate reported that Car 30, driver Liam Lawson, was in breach of Articles C5.12.6 and C5.12.7. The report said the driver's maximum power demand and the electrical DC power of the ERS‑K were reduced at greater rates than permitted. The stewards later found that Lawson did not lift off the power immediately after the timing line, so the required step‑down was not achieved. Racing Bulls had disclosed the issue to officials and argued that it produced no performance advantage. The stewards rejected that defence, saying the car must comply with the regulations at all times.

The stewards’ ruling removes Lawson from the final classification, placing him 22nd on the provisional grid. His exclusion promotes Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad to eighth, with Pierre Gasly ninth and Nico Hulkenberg tenth. Lawson’s one‑place penalty for the Friday incident remains on the grid record, but the disqualification already drops him to the back. The stewards said technical compliance is required throughout an event, and that precedent calls for disqualification when a car fails to comply.

Disqualification and race start

Lawson’s weekend started with a collision with Max Verstappen in the stadium section during Friday’s second practice. The contact damaged both cars and brought out a brief red flag, and both drivers received a one‑place grid drop and a penalty point on their superlicences. Lawson had been a strong midfield contender in qualifying, reaching Q3 for the 10th time this season. Now he must work his way forward from the back of the grid. The stewards have already granted him permission to race, but any change to his car that breaches parc ferme rules could force a pit‑lane start.