Liam Lawson has been disqualified from qualifying for the Mexico Grand Prix following a technical foul on his challenger Racing Bulls.
The New Zealander had qualified an impressive eighth ahead of teammate Arvid Lindblad in a closely fought session, but was expected to drop a position after receiving a one-place grid penalty for an earlier incident with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in FP2.
Although this would have allowed him to start the race from 9th place, Lawson was referred to the stewards after it was noted that he was “in violation of the minimum power required by the MGU-K immediately after crossing the finish line on his fastest lap in Q2”.
The FIA Technical Delegate’s report adds: “The maximum driver power demand and DC electrical power of the ERS-K have been reduced at rates higher than permitted by the Regulations.”
Lawson was therefore summoned after qualifying and it was determined that the infraction warranted disqualification, meaning he must start the race from the back of the grid.
The stewards heard from representatives of Racing Bulls, Lawson, the single-seater sporting director and members of the FIA technical team, including the FIA technical delegate.
“The evidence presented, which was accepted by all parties present, showed that after the check line at the end of his fastest lap in Q2, the driver did not immediately switch off the engine,” reads the stewards’ decision document. “This resulted in the MGU-K deployment reduction rate required to achieve the regulated ‘reduction’ not being achieved.
“The team argued that this did not provide any performance advantage, but it is clear that non-compliance with the Technical Regulations is not excused if no performance advantage is obtained. Furthermore, these regulations require a car to comply with them at all times during an event.
“The stewards note in particular that the team itself disclosed the infraction, but there is a multitude of precedents which require us, despite all extenuating circumstances, to impose a penalty of disqualification when a car does not comply with the Technical Regulations.”
Gn sports
