Liam Lawson Disqualified from Mexico City Qualifying – What Went Wrong?
Lawson loses ninth‑place start after a technical infringement at the Circuit of the Americas.
In a surprising turn of events at the Circuit of the Americas, New Zealand rookie Liam Lawson was disqualified from his ninth‑place qualifying lap for the Mexico City Grand Prix. According to Autosport and Motorsport.com, the 20‑year‑old driver was found to have exceeded the maximum allowed number of power‑unit components during his session, a breach of the FIA’s stringent technical regulations.
The decision came after a routine post‑lap inspection revealed that Lawson’s power unit had used an additional turbocharger beyond the allocated quota for the season. While the team had been operating within the limits for most of the campaign, a late‑season upgrade meant an extra component was installed to improve performance. The FIA’s rulebook, which caps the number of power‑unit elements a driver can use, is designed to keep costs down and maintain parity. When Lawson’s car was checked, the extra part was identified, and the stewards handed down a 10‑lap penalty, effectively erasing his ninth‑place time.
Red Bull Racing, who have been dominant in the last two seasons, now face a strategic dilemma. With the young driver out of the top ten, the team will need to rely on Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez to secure the best possible grid positions. The decision also raises questions about the team’s resource management, as any further infractions could lead to harsher penalties, including grid drops or even disqualification from the race itself.
For Indian fans, the disqualification means a tighter battle at the front of the grid, potentially boosting the chances of a Red Bull driver finishing on the podium. The Mexico City Grand Prix will be broadcast live on FanCode India from 6:00 PM IST, with commentary in Hindi and English. Fans can also follow the live updates on the official F1 app, which offers real‑time telemetry and driver commentary. Keep an eye on the race start, as the grid shuffle could set up an exciting showdown between the Red Bull and Mercedes camps.
Source: Autosport