FIA Investigates Red Bull-Backed Liam Lawson Following FP1 at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Red Bull junior and Racing Bulls stand-in driver Liam Lawson is under investigation by the FIA stewards following an incident during Free Practice 1 (FP1) at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The New Zealand driver, who returned to F1 duties to fill in at Racing Bulls, clocked an impressive 11th place during the opening session at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. He finished just behind his teammate Yuki Tsunoda in P10 and reigning world champion Max Verstappen in P9, both of whom represent Red Bull’s main team.
Despite his solid performance, Lawson’s session ended under a cloud of scrutiny. The FIA announced after FP1 that the Kiwi is being investigated for not complying with the race director’s instructions. Specifically, Lawson was seen entering the painted area that separates the pit entry lane from the main track — a section that drivers are explicitly instructed to avoid for safety reasons.
The alleged infraction has been categorized under Article 12.2.1 i) of the International Sporting Code, which relates to “failure to follow the instructions of the relevant officials” regarding safe and orderly conduct during an event. While the breach might seem minor to casual observers, such lapses are taken seriously in Formula 1, where safety protocols are paramount and compliance is strictly monitored.
Sky Sports F1 presenter Rachel Brookes provided more context during the post-session coverage. “Lawson is being investigated after the session for failing to follow the race director’s instructions on two occasions,” she reported. This suggests that the incident may not have been an isolated one, potentially increasing the likelihood of a formal penalty.
For now, Lawson awaits the stewards’ verdict while preparing for the second practice session, which is scheduled to take place under the lights later in the evening. Scheduled for 8 PM local time, FP2 will offer teams a more accurate picture of race pace, especially as the night-time conditions in Jeddah better resemble what drivers will face during qualifying and the Grand Prix itself.
Lawson’s return to the F1 cockpit has drawn attention from fans and paddock insiders alike. The young Kiwi impressed during his substitute appearances in the 2023 season, and his participation in Saudi Arabia adds another layer of intrigue to the already competitive midfield battle. However, any potential penalty stemming from this investigation could complicate his weekend and undermine his chances of scoring points or making a strong impression.
Meanwhile, the opening session itself delivered some surprises. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly topped the FP1 timesheets, setting the fastest lap ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris, who took second, and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who finished third. The unexpected pace from Alpine gave fans and analysts something to talk about, especially given the team’s struggles earlier in the season.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez had a relatively quiet FP1, finishing outside the top five, but both are expected to climb the leaderboard in FP2 and qualifying. The session’s results, however, underline the unpredictable nature of the Jeddah circuit, where track evolution and changing temperatures can play a significant role in performance.
As for Racing Bulls, both Tsunoda and Lawson put in respectable showings during FP1. The team will be keen to build on that momentum, though Lawson’s potential infraction could draw attention away from the car’s performance and put the focus squarely on regulatory compliance.
The stewards have not yet released a timeline for their decision on Lawson’s case, but penalties in such situations can range from reprimands to time penalties, depending on the severity and whether it’s a repeat offense. Given that this is a procedural breach rather than a driving infraction, it’s possible Lawson may avoid a grid penalty, but nothing can be ruled out until the investigation concludes.
Fans and teams alike will be watching closely as FP2 unfolds, both for Lawson’s response on track and for any updates from the FIA regarding the investigation. With the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend still in its early stages, the drama has already begun to unfold — and Liam Lawson is at the center of the action.
