Max Verstappen's unaired team radio from Liam Lawson incident reveals what really happened

Unaired team radio from Max Verstappen's collision with Liam Lawson during Mexico City Grand Prix practice tells the full story behind what caused their incident.

Both Verstappen and Lawson have been handed a one-place grid penalty for the collision, which occurred during the second free practice session on Friday.

Red Bull driver Verstappen attempted to overtake Racing Bulls' Lawson into turns 12 and 13, but found himself being forced off the track by the New Zealander. Verstappen rejoined the track by riding the bump at turn 14, with the pair then making contact.

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Team radio reveals all in Max Verstappen, Liam Lawson incident

Footage from both drivers' respective team radios reveal that Lawson was initially told by his race engineer Alexandre Iliopoulos that Verstappen was approaching behind on an out-lap.

"Not pushing, his out lap," the engineer said, which Lawson acknowledged. "I think Sainz aborted in front. Verstappen behind, out lap. Charge off."

But Verstappen's engineer Gianpiero Lambiase told the four-time world champion: "So, Lawson and Sainz... let's try to get track position on Lawson. Let's go, Max."

Iliopoulos' next comment to Lawson was that Carlos Sainz, who was ahead of him on track, had a 'big gap in front', with Verstappen approaching several seconds later to attempt an overtake.

In the team radio that was aired during the session, Lawson criticised Verstappen and claimed that the four-time champion 'literally drove into me'.

"If I back out every single time, what the f--- do I do? He actually came off the track into the side of me," he added.

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What Max Verstappen said about Liam Lawson incident - and why both drivers were punished

Lawson currently does not have a confirmed race seat for 2027, with Red Bull junior driver Nikola Tsolov currently in contention to drive for Racing Bulls next season.

Given that his performances in the final races of the season could end up being vital, Verstappen questioned Lawson over the incident and described him as exhibiting 'not very smart behaviour'.

"At the end of the day, it is not going to change my weekend," Verstappen stated. "But if I were him I would act a little smarter, and when you're fighting for your seat it's not very smart behaviour.

"When he saw me coming, he suddenly started to accelerate. I don't know what went through his head, that he wanted to drive me off the track in the hairpin. That's not very smart behaviour from someone in his position, to pick a fight with me."

As well as punishing both Verstappen and Lawson with a one-place grid drop for the race in Mexico, the FIA also added one penalty point to their respective Super Licences, which will remain for a 12-month period.

"On the approach to turn 12, Car 3 was on a preparation lap and Car 30 was on a cool down lap preparing for another push lap," the FIA stewards stated.

"The drivers of both cars behaved in a manner that was considered unacceptable by the Stewards particularly in view of the warning that had been given at the Team Managers meeting earlier this day.

"Both drivers admitted the moves were unnecessary and 'clumsy'."