![\"Lawson](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/XPB_1447651_HiRes_2.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLiam Lawson has been disqualified from Mexico City Grand Prix qualifying. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLiam Lawson has been disqualified from Mexico City Grand Prix qualifying. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
The New Zealander was excluded from Saturday\u2019s qualifying classification following an investigation into the deployment of his car\u2019s MGU-K at the end of his fastest lap in Q2.<\/p>\n
The stewards found that Lawson had not lifted off the power immediately after crossing the timing line, preventing the required reduction in electrical power from being achieved.<\/p>\n
The infringement breached Articles C5.12.6 and C5.12.7 of Formula 1 regulations.<\/p>\n
Racing Bulls disclosed the issue to officials and argued that the infringement had provided no performance advantage.<\/p>\n
However, the stewards rejected that defence.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe team argued that this did not provide any performance advantage however it is clear that non-compliance with the Technical Regulations is not excused if no performance advantage is gained,\u201d the stewards said in their verdict.<\/p>\n
\u201cFurther, these regulations require that a car must comply with them at all times during an event.\u201d<\/p>\n
They also pointed to previous cases requiring disqualification for technical infringements, regardless of mitigating circumstances.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Stewards note in particular that the team self-disclosed the breach however there are a multitude of precedents that require us, despite all mitigating circumstances, to impose a penalty of Disqualfication where a car does not comply with the Technical Regulations,\u201d the verdict continued.<\/p>\n
The decision adds to a difficult weekend for Lawson, who was already carrying a one-place grid penalty following his collision with Max Verstappen<\/a> during Friday\u2019s second practice session.<\/p>\n The pair made contact in the stadium section<\/a>, damaging both cars and bringing out a brief red flag.<\/p>\n Both drivers subsequently received one-place grid penalties<\/a> and a penalty point on their FIA superlicences, with Lawson approaching his former teammate on Saturday morning to apologise.<\/a><\/p>\n Despite that setback, qualifying had initially provided encouragement for Lawson, who reached Q3 for the 10th time this season and secured eighth ahead of Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad<\/a>.<\/p>\n The result had put him in a strong position to fight for points on Sunday, with Racing Bulls continuing its battle against Alpine for fifth in the constructors\u2019 championship.<\/p>\n Lawson had originally been set to start ninth once his grid penalty was applied, but his disqualification means he now faces starting from the back of the field.<\/p>\n He will also require permission from the stewards to participate in the race, although such approval is routinely granted based on practice session performances.<\/p>\n Racing Bulls could instead be forced into a pit lane start if it makes changes to Lawson\u2019s car that breach parc ferme regulations.<\/p>\n The Mexico City Grand Prix begins at 7am AEDT on Monday.<\/p>\n