At the Miami Grand Prix Sprint race, Liam Lawson was handed a five-second penalty and a penalty point on his Super License after a collision with veteran driver Fernando Alonso. The incident, which took place in the closing stages of the race, saw Lawson attempting an outside overtake on Alonso into Turn 11 but making contact with Alonso’s right-rear tire as the latter entered Turn 12, causing Alonso to spin out. The stewards ruled Lawson predominantly at fault, marking a significant moment as his adding penalty point brings his total to six, edging closer to the one-race suspension threshold.
Liam Lawson’s aggressive driving style has been noted in Formula 1, with Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner previously commenting on his assertive approach during Lawson’s return at last season’s United States Grand Prix. This latest incident at Miami follows that pattern, where Lawson’s attempt to pass Alonso became a costly misjudgment. Despite pulling alongside Alonso, Lawson didn’t manage to get fully ahead by the apex of Turn 11, which under the Driving Standards Guidelines means he wasn’t entitled to room at the corner’s exit. The collision was caused as Lawson pushed to the edge of the track between Turns 11 and 12, resulting in contact that ended Alonso’s Sprint race abruptly.
Following the crash, both drivers were summoned with their teams to meet race officials. The stewards reviewed video evidence and statements before deciding that Lawson’s maneuver unfairly compromised Alonso’s racing line. In their official statement, the stewards highlighted that the
front axle of Car 30 was not ahead of the front axle of Car 14 at the apex,
confirming Lawson’s lack of entitlement to space during the attempt. The decision to impose a five-second penalty and assign a penalty point reflects the severity of the fault, as track conditions and Lawson’s positioning left little margin for error.
The penalty point system in Formula 1 is a serious matter; drivers who accumulate 12 or more points within a single season face a one-race ban. Lawson, now holding six penalty points, must proceed with caution in upcoming races to avoid harsher consequences. This incident could weigh heavily on his performance and strategy, forcing a more disciplined approach despite his naturally aggressive style. Alonso, meanwhile, must recover from the setback quickly as the Miami GP qualifying session approaches imminently.
As the Miami Grand Prix continues at Hard Rock Stadium, the collision and resulting penalty cast a tense shadow over Liam Lawson’s weekend, intensifying scrutiny of his racing decisions under pressure. Fans and experts alike will watch closely to see whether Lawson adjusts his tactics or risks further penalties that could jeopardize his standing in this critical phase of the Formula 1 calendar. This episode underlines the delicate balance drivers must maintain between bold overtakes and safe, clean racing, especially in such tightly contested events.
