Overview
- Liam Lawson kept position over Max Verstappen after both ran wide at Turn 11 on Sunday in Miami, then surrendered it on team orders the next lap.
- Lawson said he was surprised by the instruction because he believed he had not gained an unfair advantage from the off-track excursion.
- F1’s passing guidelines say a car diving inside must be at least alongside at the apex and fully under control, and RaceFans’ review said Verstappen did not meet those tests.
- Four laps later Lawson retired when a sudden gearbox failure pitched him into Pierre Gasly, and stewards later cleared him of blame based on telemetry.
- The episode has renewed debate over the Red Bull–Racing Bulls relationship, with voices like David Coulthard noting Lawson is fighting for his career against a crowded driver pipeline.