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Lawson thrown out of Mexican GP qualifying results

The Race • November 1, 2026 • general

Key Points:

Liam Lawson lost his top-10 starting position for the Mexican Grand Prix due to a technical infringement related to the MGU-K power deployment rules after qualifying eighth-fastest.
The breach involved Lawson's car reducing the maximum power demand and electrical DC power of the MGU-K too rapidly at the end of his Q2 lap, violating FIA regulations that require a gradual power fade-out.
Racing Bulls argued there was no performance advantage gained from the infringement, but the FIA disqualified Lawson's lap, emphasizing that technical non-compliance is penalized regardless of advantage.
The issue relates to a complex power management strategy involving the MGU-K, where drivers typically lift off throttle before the lap end to manage power fade, but Lawson remained flat out, causing the abrupt power drop.
This penalty follows a prior one-place grid drop for a collision with Max Verstappen, further impacting Lawson's starting position for the race.

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